1 Topic by BDeed

  • BDeed
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Topic: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

A little while back we had a confirmed record of the Gambian species Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata turn up in St Helens. The record was confirmed by staff at the Liverpool World Museum and now resides in their collection. I would like to be able to import this record for legacy and interest but it is not currently in any dictionaries (and is probably unlikely to colonise any time soon!). Can this addition be justified?

GBIF Taxonomy available here: http://www.gbif.org/species/6274925

Natural History & Biodiversity Data Enthusiast

2 Reply by stevemcbill (edited by stevemcbill 25-11-2015 10:27:29)

  • stevemcbill
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Re: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

Ben,

Yours is a similar query to one I had a few years ago regarding Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus sp. (possibly variolus)) which had been found in Cheshire in a number of cars imported from the USA.  There were a few females and a number of egg cases.

The decision at the time, by the then Dictionary Manager, was not to add this to the Dictionary.  See the discussion here:  http://forums.nbn.org.uk/viewtopic.php?id=736

I will be interested to see how your request is dealt with by Chris.

Cheers,
Steve

Steve J. McWilliam
www.rECOrd-LRC.co.uk
www.stevemcwilliam.co.uk/guitar/

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3 Reply by ChrisR

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Re: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

I think, with the current interest in non-native species, I'm a bit more sympathetic to adding exotics like this if there is a recording need for it. We had a few examples recently of taxa being reported in the UK, obviously introduced by human actions, and then later (due to the fact that records had been taken) being proven to have established themselves.

One of the only considerations might be that Black Widows and other 'banana spiders' are often bad news for supermarkets and they might not take kindly to being identified as the locality for the record. Also, in terms of distribution, it might not tell us much, but if they ever do establish then it could be vital information.

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

4 Reply by ChrisR

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Re: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

Just going back through old queries and found this one. Was there any indication that the beetle was found "in the wild" or had any potential to survive here? Or was it purely an import in a consignment of sweet potatoes?

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

5 Reply by BDeed

  • BDeed
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Re: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

Hi Chris,

Afraid not! It was found on a sock in a house in St Helens and subsequently lived out it's life at Liverpool World Museum.

Natural History & Biodiversity Data Enthusiast

6 Reply by charliebarnes

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Re: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

Just to add to the mix, it was introduced to New Caledonia in 2008.

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

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7 Reply by ChrisR

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Re: Query Aspidimorpha quinquefasciata

Hmm, I'd have to be convinced, before I would add it, I think. We don't list "banana spiders" or even Latrodectus because they always arrive in shipments of food or other produce and cannot survive in the wild. So recording them doesn't give us useful biological recording data - it's just an anecdotal record.

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)