Range & Status

Always a great rarity, only one site is currently known anywhere in Britain.

Regional Distribution

Old records only: Isles of Scilly (J.R. Le B. Tomlin, 1912), Gerrans Bay and Whitsand Bay (G.C. Champion, 1897) and Bude (1906).

Habitat & Ecology

A little known species, presumably feeding mainly on seeds.

Threats

Development of coastal habitats; coarsening of vegetation through lack of grazing and/or trampling, with consequent loss of open sandy areas; coastal protection works.

Conservation

Much of the more sensitive coastline is now protected by SSSI designations. This species is listed on the UK BAP Priority Species list (2007).