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.
Range & Status
A widespread species in Europe but of southern distribution in Britain. It appears to occur at low density and so may be overlooked to some extent.
Regional Distribution
Widely reported around the coasts of West Penwith and The Lizard; also along the north coast.
Habitat & Ecology
Chiefly a coastal species in the south-west, occurring on sand dunes and sparsely vegetated slopes on and behind cliffs. A seed-feeder; an association with Common
Stork' s-bill Erodium cicutarium has been suggested, but the evidence is weak. Adults hibernate amongst leaf-litter and in deadwood.
Threats
Heavy public pressure may cause damage through erosion; developments for recreation may cause problems.
Conservation
Re-establishment of cliff grazing may be of value. Periodic scrub clearance would be
00 beneficial.
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.