Masoreus wetterhalli

Range & Status

Very localised on southern coasts.

Regional Distribution

Mainly known from the Lizard Peninsula: Lizard (Keys, 1918 and 1919), and found on the cliffs at Kynance Cove in 1979 (Alexander, 1982) and 1990 by A.P. Fowles. Also at Whitesand Bay in 1951 by A.A. Allen.

Habitat & Ecology

Sparsely vegetated, well-drained grassland and heath on sea cliffs, sand dunes and shingle.

Threats

Agricultural improvement of the semi-natural grasslands of the Lizard Peninsula and calcareous sand dune systems; abandonment of grazing, leading to coarsening and scrub development.

Conservation

The known sites are mostly now protected by The National Trust and lie within SSSI.