Cornish Biodiversity Network  -  Supporting Wildlife Recording

   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z restore

Cornish Red Data (2009)

The descriptive text, below the map, is from the Cornish Red Data Book (2009). The map on this web page depicts the organisms distribution and shows the records made pre-2000 and those made since.

Metrioptera brachyptera - Bog Bush-cricket



Range & Status

Nationally restricted to wet and dry heathland, but locally often numerous in this habitat.

Regional Distribution

Currently known from only a handful of sites; Newlyn Downs, Trewaters Farm, two sites at Rosenannon, and one at nearby Retallack. The colony at Rosenannon Downs is extensive, and is the largest in Cornwall. In 2004 a small population was found at the Chyverton CWT nature reserve, the most westerly UK site. Despite searching with a bat detector in 2007, the old colonies at Goss and Tregoss moor could not be refound. Tregoss moor, in particular, is now heavily overgrown, with access to the damper areas very difficult.

Habitat & Ecology

Occurs on lowland heath, requiring damper areas for egg laying, although adults move to warmer, drier area to bask and mature. Surprisingly, never recorded from The Lizard. An important indicator species for heathland.

Threats

Fires, extension of tip sites and deterioration through lack of management.

Conservation

By effective heathland management.

Source:

I.J. Bennallick, S. Board, C.N. French, P.A. Gainey, C. Neil, R. Parslow, A. Spalding and P.E. Tompsett. eds. 2009. Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 2nd Edition.Croceago Press.

The Cornish Red Data Book Project was led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation for Biological Recorders (CISFBR). The full text and species accounts (minus the maps) are available on the CISFBR website.



Cornish Biodiversity Network. 2017.