Mycetophagus atomarius

Range & Status

Throughout England and extending into southern Scotland.

Regional Distribution

Listed in Clark (1906) but then not seen until 1989, when recorded in Stowe Woods; subsequently found in Lanhydrock Woods in 1995 and at Boconnoc Estate in 2006.

Habitat & Ecology

In Cornwall, primarily associated with Daldinia fungus growing on Ash Fraxinus excelsior in ancient woodlands and pasture-woodlands; will also breed under fungoid Beech Fagus sylvatica bark, with black encrusting Hypoxylon fragiforme on dead and dying Beech.

Threats

Loss of the older age classes of Ash and Beech from native woodlands.

Conservation

Retention of overmature trees and their associated deadwood.