The invertebrate fauna of Mill Bank, Penallt, Monmouthshire, Wales: a traditionally managed biological hotspot in the Wye Valley
View of Mill Bank. Photo by Ian Rabjohns
Deep in the Wye Valley there is the most idyllic spot, a little patch carved out of the ancient woodland and heathland fragments which people have managed for centuries.
ARTICLE
by Paul F. Whitehead
ABSTRACT
The entomofauna of a small-holding in south-east Wales has been investigated since 1998 and in greater detail since 2010. An account of this fauna is presented with emphasis placed on the wider implications and impacts of land management, sustainable systems and site fidelity. Psocoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera underpin these concepts and are discussed in detail. The developmental history of the entomofauna is supported by historical documentation.
Overview: An Idyll for Insects in the Wye Valley
by Head of Nature Recovery, Gemma Bodé
Deep in the Wye Valley there is the most idyllic spot, a little patch carved out of the ancient woodland and heathland fragments which people have managed for centuries. There, an old stone cottage sits, surrounded by moss and lichen-covered dry stone walls, with beautiful hay meadows and mature orchard trees scattered throughout and the Black Brook running through. It always seems that when you visit the sun is shining, trapped in this little oasis of calm.
L-album Wainscot moth (Mythimna l-album). Credit Paul Whitehead.
Mill Bank lies within the Trellech ridge that runs south from the Troy Park Estate to Devauden. Once known historically as Wyeswood Common, which is the name Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) took for the area of land we purchased back in 2008, lying adjacent to Pentwyn Farm in Penallt, to the south west of this site. Fragments of this once extensively wooded area are still evident across the landscape in the form of ancient pollarded trees such lime and alder. Mill Bank was designated as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) in 2005 by GWT for its botanical interest. It lies within the Wye Valley National Landscape and is surrounded by several nationally designated sites within the Wye Valley.
Caterpillar of the Rosy Footman (Miltochrista miniata) moth. Credit Paul Whitehead.
The current landowner is Ian Rabjohns who has been managing the land for over 25 years, maintaining its traditional aspects of management through extensive grazing, orcharding systems and hay meadow management. This sensitive management backed up by years of study and data collection have confirmed that populations of nationally important invertebrates have thrived here, intimately connected with this sensitive land management. Multiple niches across the site provide opportunities for numerous types of insects and it is the impact of historical long-term management by people that has created much of the invertebrate interest at Mill Bank. Documents from AD 1295 are the first written records concerning the land near to Mill Bank with a water mill recorded in AD 1433 and the miller the first known resident, although archeological evidence suggests early post-medieval human activity in the area.
Sabre Wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria). Credit Paul Whitehead.
Mill Bank has been subjected to extensive survey over the years by the owner, Ian and his late wife Jessica, and since 2010, invertebrate specialist Paul Whitehead has been assisting. Data has been collated through active searching, Mercury Vapour light trapping and interceptive vane trapping since 1998, and amounts to over 39,685 individual insect observations! Ninety species of insect, generally regarded as scarce in Wales have been recorded, including the Rugged Oil Beetle Meloe rugosus, first described new to Wales from Mill Bank in 2007. There is even evidence to show that the Noble Chafer beetle (Gnorimus nobilis) has been present. The site holds 58% of the recorded vice-county macromoth species, 119 species of Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants) and 12 species of ants recorded alone. Species that “mere mortal” amateur insect observers might recognise include the Brown Hairstreak butterfly (Thecla betulae), the Necklace Ground Beetle (Carabus monilis) and the Bee Wolf (Philanthus triangulum).
Necklace Ground Beetle (Carabus monilis). Credit Paul Whitehead.
Paul’s increasing interest in the site over the years and realisation of its national and now international importance for invertebrates has with Ian’s support led him to write a fascinating account of the fauna recorded: “The invertebrate fauna of Mill Bank, Penallt, Monmouthshire, Wales: a traditionally managed biological hotspot in the Wye Valley” that can now be found here The invertebrate fauna of Mill Bank, Penallt
The study is a real homage to the commitment of Ian Rabjohns for his ongoing determination to manage the site so sensitively for nature conservation.