The gatekeeper is confined to the southern and eastern coasts in Ireland, between west Kerry and Co. Wicklow. It is found in warm sites with woody shrubs and rough grassland, such as hedgerow and woodland rides and clearings.

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A population reduction has been observed in Wexford and mid-Cork as well as a decline in the area of occupancy. It is therefore considered near threatened.

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Image (c) by Jean-Pol Grandmont, used under Creative Commons License BY 3.0.