Species details

Eumerus sabulonum (Fallén, 1817)

Biology

The larva remains unknown but on the continent, larvae been reported feeding in small cavities in the bases of Sheep's Bit Jasione montana leaves (Munk, 2000). Adults have been found resting in the sun on bare ground and sandy banks, or flying low over short vegetation, when they resemble small solitary bees. Most localities are coastal, and range from steep grassland slopes with bare ground to sand dunes. Occasionally visits flowers.

Distribution

A coastal species whose range extends from Hampshire and Dorset westwards and northwards to Anglesey. There are also records from Wigtownshire and Ayrshire in south-west Scotland. Adults are difficult to locate or catch, so the species is probably under-recorded.

Status

Lower Risk (Nationally scarce) - Ball & Morris, 2010. Notable - Falk, 1991. Rare (RDB3) - Shirt, 1987.