Species Action Plans - Ground Beetle
(Ophonus laticollis)

Current Status Current factors causing loss or decline in Norfolk Current Action In Norfolk Action Plan Objectives and Targets

Ref 2/S24 Species Action Plan 24 Plan Author: NCC (H. Thompson) Plan Co-ordinator: Heathland BAP Topic Group Plan Leader: NCC February 2007 Final Draft Click to view the Ground Beetle Action Plan

Current Status

National Status

• Ophonus laticollis is found in grassland and amongst open scrub on chalk or sandy soils, often under stones. It is an annual species that breeds mostly in the spring. The adults and the larvae are mainly seed-feeding. The beetle is winged and able to fly.
• Ophonus laticollis has recently been found only in east Suffolk and at Roydon Common in west Norfolk, but its earlier range included most of southern England as far north as Nottinghamshire as well as the south Wales coast. It is found throughout most of Europe, except the north.
• In Great Britain, this species is classified as Nationally Scarce.

Norfolk Status

• In Norfolk, this species has been recorded from Cranwich Camp, Gallows Hill (Thetford) and Roydon Common (although the most recent record from Roydon is 1985). The Gallows Hill site is the best site in Britain for this species, where it is associated with flower rich ESA margins and mature hedges (Telfer pers comm).

back to top

Current factors causing loss or decline in Norfolk

• This species has been found on chalk soils in arable margins adjacent to thick, ancient hedgerows. In fact, it can be more abundant under the hedge than in the field. It also occurs under scrub on disturbed lowland calcareous grassland, reinforcing the impression that the shelter of shrubs is a habitat requirement for this species. Thus the loss, or poor management of mature hedgerows from the arable landscape of Norfolk, may be a factor in the species' decline.

back to top

Current Action in Norfolk

• Roydon Common and Cranwich Camp are SSSIs.

back to top

Action Plan Objectives and Targets

National

• Maintain the range of Ophonus laticollis.

Norfolk

• Maintain current populations of Ophonus laticollis in Norfolk, with Gallows Hill as a priority.

back to top

 

Send mail to scott.perkin@norfolk.gov.uk with questions or comments about this web site.  This page was printed from the Norfolk Biodiversity Website : http://www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/ 

Good morning, today is 09 September 2010 @ 01:52 This website is © Copyright Norfolk County Council
Website last updated 07 September 2010.