Species Account for Sitona macularius

Essex Red Data List comment
Essex Post-1969 record/s; VC18 1970-on record/s; VC19 pre-1970 record/s.

Species text
Sitona macularius is an uncommon and possibly declining but widely distributed weevil in Britain, associated with Leguminosae. The weevil has been recorded from grassland, field margins in cultivated land, quarries and disturbed ground, particularly on chalky soils. The larvae feed on roots and root nodules. On the Continent, the species has been associated with common vetch Vicia sativa, lucerne Medicago sativa, black medick M. lupulina, red clover Trifolium pratense and cultivated pea Pisum sativum. Adults have been recorded from sainfoin Onobrychis sativa, wild liquorice Astragalus glycyphyllos, bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus, hairy tare Vicia hirsutaand smooth tare V. tetrasperma. This species may be threatened by the loss of grassland through conversion to arable agriculture or other land use. The infilling of quarries, the use of herbicides and pesticides, and natural succession and scrub invasion may be further threats. Grazing, cutting or some other disturbance, such as rotovation, on a rotational basis, is needed to maintain open conditions and encourage early successional stages (Hyman & Parsons, 1992). References

Habitats

Recorded management for locations with Sitona macularius

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Sitona macularius

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Interpretation of distribution maps