Chrysomphalina grossula

Chrysomphalina grossula has a northern temperate distribution and occurs in Europe, Russia, Japan, and North America, including the northern spotted owl region of CA, OR, WA. It is regarded as rare to infrequent everywhere. Within the spotted owl region only 14 occurrences have been documented; perhaps only one can be definitely regarded as extant. Its dependence on a supply of well soaked coniferous substrates and other unknown biological requirements preclude estimation of short- and long-term trends. All populations are at risk to incidental catastrophic events such as wildfire and anything that removes or destroys the substrate or replacement conifer hosts.

Known from Europe, Russia, Japan, and North America; within the northern spotted owl region in western United States, this species ranges from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington south to Arcata, California and east to Mt Baker and south along the western Cascade region to Lane County. In that region, this species appears restricted to the Tsuga heterophylla/ Pseudotsuga menziesii zone (Norvell et al 1994; Norvell 1998; ISMS 2002 GIS map for CHGR23).

The number of occurrences worldwide is not known. In the northern spotted owl region in North America, there are 14 occurrences represented by ~47 collections in California, Oregon, and Washington. Continued fungal surveys may uncover more sites. (Norvell et al 1994, Norvell 1998, ISMS-ONH 2002)

Chrysomphalina grossula has been found sporadically in mixed/coniferous forests on watersoaked coniferous woods. Whatever threatens the general habitat, microclimates, and/or substrate can imperil this species. All populations are at risk to incidental catastrophic events, such as hot fires, and unmonitored human interference. Unprotected occurrences are at risk from logging activities such as brush clearing or removal of coniferous coarse woody debris (Norvell et al 1994; Norvell 1998, pers comm 2002). Threats on a worldwide scale cannot be estimated.