The linked web-page tables present the checklist for all Diptera species recorded in Lancashire and Cheshire (VCs 58, 59 and 60).  Occurrences are listed separately for each of the three vice-counties 58 (Cheshire), 59 (South Lancashire) and 60 (West Lancashire).  They replace the spreadsheet version which was last updated at the end of 2025.

This list was compiled anew from NBN and IRECORD data up to the end of 2025, with additional data from the Manchester Museum card index, a spreadsheet of survey records from World Museum Liverpool and the author’s own records, as described in the accompanying report:

Brighton, P, 2026. The Complete Diptera of Lancashire and Cheshire.

Diptera Checklist for Lancashire and Cheshire – North West Invertebrates

Inclusion on this list does not necessarily mean that the original record or records have been verified.  Particularly questionable species records which have been excluded are listed in Appendix 1 of the Report.

The Report also describes how species ranked according to the number of regional records in five frequency categories: common, frequent, uncommon, scarce and rare. These are given in an additional colour-coded column in the tables.  Where a species has not been recorded since 1970 the frequency category has been replaced by “historic”.

As in the previous spreadsheets, the list is in the four major taxonomic divisions of the Diptera: Nematocera, Lower Brachycera, Acalyptrates and Calyptrates.   In a departure from the spreadsheets the families are now listed in the order used in the British Checklist.   For convenience, this order is reproduced below.  Within the lists, families are colour-coded with a similar scheme to that used in the newly published fly guide by Steven Falk at al. This book is strongly recommended whether you are beginner with Diptera or already captivated by the fascination and complexity of it all!   In it you will find field pictures of most of our common species and many of the less common ones as well.

IRECORD will be checked from time to time for additions, but please notify any other errors or omissions to me at helophilus@hotmail.co.uk

All additions should be logged on IRECORD, preferably with photographs enabling verification.  Some species may require verification of the specimen by a national Recording Scheme or other expert.

Phil Brighton

April 2026

Nematocera Tipulida, Cylindrotomidae, Pediciidae, Limoniidae, Bibionidae, Bolitophilidae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae, Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae, Cecidomyiidae, Psychodidae, Trichoceridae, Anisopodidae, Mycetobiidae, Scatopsidae, Ptychopteridae, Dixidae, Chaoboridae, Culicidae, Thaumaleidae, Simuliidae, Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae View
Lower Brachycera Xylophagidae, Athericidae, Rhagionidae, Tabanidae, Xylomyidae, Stratiomyidae, Acroceridae, Bombyliidae, Therevidae, Scenopinidae, Asilidae, Atelestidae, Hybotidae, Empididae, Brachystomatidae, Dolichopodidae, Opetiidae, Platypezidae, Phoridae, Lonchopteridae, Syrphidae, Pipunculidae View
Acalyptrates Micropezidae, Megamerinidae, Psilidae, Conopidae, Lonchaeidae, Pallopteridae, Piophilidae, Ulidiidae, Platystomatidae, Tephritidae, Lauxaniidae, Chamaemyiidae, Coelopidae, Dryomyzidae, Helcomyzidae, Heterocheilidae, Sciomyzidae, Sepsidae, Clusiidae, Acartophthalmidae, Odiniidae, Agromyzidae, Opomyzidae, Anthomyzidae, Periscelididae, Asteiidae, Milichiidae, Carnidae, Braulidae, Canacidae, Chloropidae, Heleomyzidae, Trixoscelididae, Chyromyidae, Sphaeroceridae, Drosophilidae, Campichoetidae, Diastatidae, Camillidae, Ephydridae View
Calyptrates Hippoboscidae, Nycteribiidae, Scathophagidae, Anthomyiidae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, Calliphoridae, Polleniidae, Sarcophagidae, Tachinidae, Oestridae View