Southern Yellow Splinter Lipsothrix nervosa

The Southern Yellow Splinter (Lipsothrix nervosa) is a slender, yellow-marked cranefly of wet woodland and carr, whose larvae develop in waterlogged, decaying wood – particularly alder – along the margins of streams, flushes, and boggy woodland. This highly specific larval habitat requirement makes it a good indicator of long-undisturbed, permanently wet woodland with a continuity of decaying woody debris in or near standing water. Nationally scarce and easily overlooked, it is associated in Suffolk with ancient carr woodland and wet alder woodland in the county's river valley systems, particularly in the Waveney Valley and similar habitats. Maintaining appropriate hydrology and retaining fallen and submerged woody material are important for this inconspicuous but ecologically significant species.

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