Aphanisticus pusillus

Range & Status

Sparsely distributed across southern Britain, rarest in west.

Regional Distribution

Discovered in Cornwall by D.A. Sheppard at a site on the Lizard Peninsula (1981) and recorded more recently (1997) at Kennack Sands by Ian Hoare.

Habitat & Ecology

Localities tend to be coastal or south-facing calcareous grassland, suggesting a need for warm micro-climates. The foodplants have not been identified but are believed to include Black Bog-rush Schoenus nigricans in marshy situations and sedges Carex spp. such as Glaucous Sedge Carex flacca .

Threats

Agricultural improvement of the semi-natural grasslands of the Lizard Peninsula. Abandonment of grazing, leading to coarsening and scrub development.

Conservation

Much of the remaining undisturbed Lizard grasslands are now protected by The National Trust, Natural England and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.