Grimsargh Wetlands – 7th August 2026


Grimsargh Wetlands comprises three decommissioned former reservoirs and surrounding land managed by a dedicated Trust near Preston in Lancashire. There is variety of grassland habitats surrounding the former reservoirs, from species-rich free draining south-facing embankments through to tall, damp vegetation on heavy soils. One of the water bodies is shallow enough to virtually dry up in summer, revealing good access to reedbed habitat. The third former reservoir has become a fen habitat dominated willow scrub and more accessible reedbed. The site is largely closed to the public and even volunteer work parties do not access large areas between April and July for the bird breeding season. The site managers are not aware of any previous attempts to record invertebrates apart from spiders.

iRecord Records Summary

iRecord Records List

Record Highlights

Tropidosteptes pacificus (Miridae)

Recorder: Josh Boe

Possible first for VC60. Adults and nymphs are associated with Ash Fraxinus. Native to the USA and a recent arrival in Britain, first recorded in 2012 from the London area. Likely to be a horticultural introduction.

Anthocomus rufus (Melyridae)

Recorder: Nicola Garnham
Determiner: Gary Hedges

New to VC60. Adults are associated with damp habitats and are often found on flowers along stream margins and wetland edges.

Ceutorhynchus pectoralis (Curculionidae)

Recorder: Jim Cresswell
Determiner: Gary Hedges

New to VC60. Found on Large Bitter-cress. This small weevil is closely associated with its foodplant and has been recorded only rarely in Britain. The scarcity of records is reflected both nationally and regionally, with very few previous North West observations.

Sermylassa halensis (Delphacidae)

Recorder: Josh Boe

New to VC60. Eggs laid at the base of the hostplant in summer overwinter before the larvae develop and pupate in spring. Adults emerge in the summer, feeding on foliage. Widespread and frequent in England and Wales.