Malthodes mysticus

Range & Status

Widespread in the hill country of the north and west of Britain.

Regional Distribution

Discovered in Cornwall by R.T. Bannister in 1968 at Dobwalls. Probably confined to the Bodmin Moor fringe wooded valleys.

Habitat & Ecology

Found in ancient semi-natural woodlands. The larvae probably develop in fallen branches, while the adults are usually found amongst the herb layer, on the foliage of Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus , Wood-rush Luzula spp. etc.

Threats

Commercial woodland management, replacing native broadleaved trees; tidiness, removing dead and decaying timber; lack of recruitment of new generations of trees, due to grazing levels or lack of planting.

Conservation

Protection of the valley woodlands of Bodmin Moor from damaging developments.