this is a rare species, declining as its wetland habitats are reduced by eutrophication and drainage, but is regarded as of least concern by the iucn red list. it is listed on schedule 8 of the wildlife (northern ireland) order 1985, but it has not been seen there since 1970 and may now be extinct in the province. it is protected under the wildlife and countryside act 1981 in the rest of the uk, where it is now classified as vulnerable.