Platynaspis luteorubra

Range & Status

Southern Britain, very local.

Regional Distribution

Reported in Cornwall in the Victoria County History (Clark, 1906) but only twice in the following decades: in a Gorse Ulex spp. hedge at Tintagel (Butler, 1909) and commonly at Gwithian Dunes in 1934 by R.T. Bannister. More recently it has been discovered in the sand dune systems at Rock and Harbour Cove (Alexander, 2002). Subsequently seen at Rock on two occasions in 2005 by Ian McClenaghan.

Habitat & Ecology

Appears to favour unimproved grasslands on dry freely-draining soils, the adult having a partially subterranean habit in the friable topsoil, and may specialise in feeding on root aphids.

Threats

Development pressure on sand dunes.

Conservation

The two dune areas are protected from development.