Trapezonotus ullrichi

Range & Status

Principally a southern species in Europe, and in Britain it is confined to the south-west including Devon, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, as well as Cornwall.

Regional Distribution

Given the considerable extent of cliff-top vegetation in Cornwall it is probably fairly widespread here, and restoration of coastal grazing regimes will be favouring its conservation by reducing the extent of scrub.

Habitat & Ecology

All British records are from cliff-tops, particularly dry grasslands with flowering Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare . The adults are readily found by their habit of resting on the flower-head. They may form very localised populations in areas of suitable habitat.

Threats

Loss of cliff grassland through lack of grazing leading to coarsening and scrub invasion. Where there is heavy public pressure, the erosion of cliff-top vegetation may be damaging.

Conservation

Light to moderate grazing levels are optimal, in order to maintain a varied grassland structure. Where grazing is relatively heavy, a period of no grazing during the main flowering period of Ox-eye Daisy would be beneficial. Cattle or ponies are preferable to sheep, as sheep will eat flowers preferentially. Many of the known localities are within SSSI and include many National Trust properties.