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
The exact status of this species in Britain is difficult to determine because of its similarity to the commoner coastal species Phycitodes saxicola (Vaughan); the separation of these two species was not published until 1937 (Pierce, 1937). The only confirmed post-1970 British records are from Cornwall (Parsons, 1993), in 1993 from the Isles of Scilly, in Norfolk in 1993, and in 1994 (B.F. Skinner, pers. comm.) and from Dorset. This species is widespread on the Continent.
Regional Distribution
Recorded at Lamorna in 1979 (Agassiz, Heckford & Langmaid, 1992); there are previous records from Redruth. This species might be common but overlooked in Cornwall in suitable coastal habitat. Also recorded on St. Mary' s in 1993 (Heckford, 1994b).
Habitat & Ecology
The larvae feed on Sheep' s-bit Jasione montana (Heckford, 1998).
Threats
None known.
Conservation
None.
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.