Glossary

Definitions of Red Data Book etc (follows Shirt 1987)

Red Data Book category 1 - Endangered

Species which are known or believed to occur as only a single population within one 10km square of the national grid.

Red Data Book category 2 - Vulnerable

Species declining throughout their range or in vulnerable habitats.

Red Data Book category 3 - Rare

Species which are estimated to exist in only fifteen or fewer post 1970 10km squares. This criterion may be relaxed where populations are likely to exist in over fifteen 10km squares but occupy small areas of especially vulnerable habitat.

Nationally Notable (Scarce) category A - Notable A

Taxa which do not fall within the RDB category but which are none-the-less uncommon in Great Britain and thought to occur in 30 or fewer 10km squares of the National Grid or, for less well recorded groups between eight and twenty vice counties.

Nationally Notable (Scarce) category B - Notable B

Taxa which do not fall within the RDB category but which are none-the-less uncommon in Great Britain and thought to occur in 31 and 100 10km squares of the National Grid or, for less well recorded groups between eight and twenty vice counties.

Nationally Notable (Scarce) - Notable

Species which are estimated to occur within the range of 16 to 100 10km squares. The subdividing of this category into Notable A and Notable B has not been attempted for many species in this part of the review.

Definitions of Archer Status (follows Archer 1997)

Very Rare

found in 1-15 10km squares, 1970 onwards, in which respect it is similar to Red Data Book species.

Rare

found in 16-30 10km squares, 1970 onwards, in which respect is similar to Nationally Scarce Category A species.

Scarce

found in 31-70 10km squares, 1970 onwards, in which respect it differs from Nationally Scarce Category B species, which are found in 31-100 10km squares, 1970 onwards.

Restricted

found in more than 70 10km squares, 1970 onwards, and in the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) Land Classification groups 1 and 2 (Southern Lowlands, South-West and Southern Coasts). Roughly this is about half of England.

Widespread

found in more than 70 10km squares, 1970 onwards, and in Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) Land Classification groups 3 and 4 (Midland Lowlands and central Coasts) besides 1 and 2. Widespread species extend into the coastal areas of south-west Scotland but not into Northumbria.

Universal

found in more than 70 10km squares, 1970 onwards, and further Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) Land Classification groups, particularly 7 and 8 (Northern Lowlands and North-Western Seaboard). Roughly this is the whole of Wales, Scotland and England, including Northumbria.

General Terms

Cleptoparasite

An insect that steals (eats) the provisions of another. In the case of bees and wasps this also often involves killing the intended reciprocate: the larvae of another bee or wasp.

Lekking

A lek is territory set up by males in the breeding season. Lekking is defending and holding such territory against potential rivals.

Aculeate

An animal with a stinging organ. In the case of the bees, wasps and ants the sting is a modified ovipositor.

Hymenoptera

An immense order of insects, the typical specimen having two pairs of membranous wings (hymen = membrane) coupled together by a row of tiny hooks.

Parasite

An animal or plant that lives in or on another (host) from which it obtains nourishment.

Parasitoid

An insect that is parasitic as a larva but becomes free-living when adult.

Abbreviations