Species details

Xylota xanthocnema Collin, 1939

Biology

The larva has been found in rot-holes of Yew Taxus baccatus. It usually occurs in or near ancient deciduous woodland, although, according to Speight (2010) it favours sites with well-drained soils. Adults are found running rapidly over foliage or basking on sun-lit trunks in clearings. There appear to be no records of this species visiting flowers.

Distribution

Rare and largely confined to the southern half of Britain, but also found in old woodland on limestone in Yorkshire (Stubbs, 1996). It was found to be locally abundant in some woods near Coventry by staff of the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in the early 1980s.

Status

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