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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.

Chrysotoxum elegans



Range & Status

Widespread in Britain with a coastal bias, north to Norfolk, Worcestershire and south

Wales, but declining as a result of loss of dry grassland.

Regional Distribution

Recorded in Cornwall since 1905; since 1980 in VC1 at Bessey' s Cove (1987), Cubert and the east side of The Lizard (both 1983); in VC2 at Nare Head, Northcott Mouth (Bude), Pendower Beach, Veryan Bay (all 1989) and Trebarwith Strand (1995). Since 1993, recorded annually at several coastal sites in southeast Cornwall, notably in the Rame Head area, as well as further records from Perranporth (2002), Sandy Mouth, Bude (2006) and St. Agnes Head (2007).

Habitat & Ecology

Occurs in dry, open grassland. Adults occur from May to September, nectaring and

basking. The larval habits are unknown, possibly feeding on subterranean root aphids.

Threats

Continuing loss of open grassland.

Conservation

Several post-1980 sites are on National Trust land managed for invertebrate

00 conservation.

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.