Ophonus puncticollis

Range & Status

Formerly widespread across southern and eastern Britain, but with very few recent records.

Regional Distribution

Known from one old record on north coast: Newquay, 1880, E.D. Marquand.

Habitat & Ecology

Favours sparsely-vegetated ground on dry freely-draining calcareous soils and presumably a species of wind-blown shelly sand vegetation; probably feeds mainly on seeds.

Threats

Development of sand dune systems and coastal cliff lands for recreation; 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).