Platycnemis pennipes

Range & Status

Restricted to southern Britain with no records north of the Midlands and believed to be declining nationally. The small Cornish population has declined since 1997, although this may be more a result of under-recording.

Regional Distribution

In 1997 it was reported as occurring along the River Tamar above Gunnislake. There have been no confirmed records of this species in Caradon since 1998 despite annual searching of previous breeding sites, but there are 2006 records from a few sites in North Cornwall on the upper reaches and tributaries of the Tamar.

Habitat & Ecology

Sites are confined to slow moving rivers or canals with lush marginal and floating vegetation.

Threats

It is vulnerable to pollution and, especially, physical disturbance to bankside habitats.

Conservation

Although this species may no longer occur in Caradon, further monitoring of known previous sites should continue. It is believed that the species is probably under-recorded.