Range & Status

Still found at Guernsey in the Channel Islands. On the mainland, whilst the hope is that its secretive nature means it still survives but unrecorded, it may well be extinct. It was locally frequent until the 1920s and possibly to the 1950s. Occasionally turns up as a casual with imported plant material.

Regional Distribution

Recorded in four VC1 sites prior to 1907. Two specimens were recorded near Rock in 1912 and 1920. Truro Museum has a Scillonian specimen presented 1930. The most recent record was in 1962 from Little Gaverigan, at the western end of Goss Moor, where nymphs were found on lettuces. Around this time, reports suggest it was not regarded as unusual to see Mole-crickets swimming in the whitened clay water at the nearby Wheal Remfry China Clay works. It is likely to be extinct in Cornwall.

Habitat & Ecology

Occurs in marshland, compost heaps or similar moist sites.

Threats

Drainage of marshland.

Conservation

Protected under terms of Schedule 5, Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. BAP species.