It occurs widely across much of southern Britain and south-eastern Ireland, but becomes genuinely rare in northern England and ultimately restricted to coastal sites in Scotland.

In the southern areas it may be found wherever suitable species of ants occur (Lasius, Myrmica, etc - see Hames (1987) for more information), including gardens, churchyards, road verges and semi-natural grasslands.  Lifting stones or paving slabs in sunny locations is the easiest way to find an ants’ nest, and P. hoffmannseggii within.

This summary is based on the detailed account in Gregory (2009).