Platycis minutus

Range & Status

Widely but very sparingly scattered across lowland southern and eastern England.

Regional Distribution

Discovered ' near Zennor' in 1976, when seven adults were found by D. Hemingway in a tree stump adjacent to the hedgeline in a narrow lane. It seems most likely that this was an accidental introduction with timber as such a large and conspicuous insect would not escape attention.

Habitat & Ecology

The larvae develop in large items of relatively soft decaying timber, especially Beech Fagus sylvatica . Usually associated with ancient woodlands and pasture-woodlands.

Threats

Clearance of decaying timber, and lack of new generations of host trees.

Conservation

General deadwood conservation measures.