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 scarce, largely south-eastern species associated with chalk downland.
Regional Distribution
Restricted in Cornwall to The Lizard, where it was discovered at Caerthillian by Mike
Morris in 1967. Also found by Peter Hodge at Kynance Cove in 1997.
Habitat & Ecology
This species favours calcareous and base-rich grasslands where the sward is short and open, possibly feeding on Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata and other herbs.
Threats
Abandonment of coastal grazing.
Conservation
The two known sites are within a SSSI.
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.