Longitarsus obliteratoides

Range & Status

Only recently recognised as a British species, and known from a number of sites on the coasts of Pembrokeshire, north Wales and Cornwall. Essentially Mediterranean in distribution, but also extending along the Atlantic coasts to north-west France.

Regional Distribution

Only known from The Lizard area at present. Bannister collected a pair of this species from Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus at Loe Bar in 1964. Also found on Beagles Point on The Lizard in 1989 (Alexander, unpublished).

Habitat & Ecology

Larval foodplant is Wild Thyme and all the known localities are rocky coastal situations.

Threats

Loss of rough cliff grazings, leading to coarsening and scrub development.

Conservation

The known sites are owned by The National Trust.