Anchonidium unguiculare

Range & Status

A western oceanic species known from only a handful of locations in Devon and Cornwall.

Regional Distribution

Three sites were found along the Helford River in 1984 (Alexander, 1986). Studies by Paul Gainey in 2008 have added one more Helford site and also Devichoys Wood.

Habitat & Ecology

The Cornwall sites are all old Sessile Oak Quercus petraea coppice on acidic soils, with heathy ground flora. The weevils occur amongst the leaf-litter. (The Devon sites are sea cliff grasslands).

Threats

Conversion of oakwoods to commercial plantations; fire - the Gweek Wood locality has suffered from damaging fires in recent years.

Conservation

One site is a SSSI and another owned by The National Trust.