This species was originally found by Ehlers at Spiekeroog, an island off the coast of E. Friesland, in the North Sea. It has more recently been found by Joyeux-Laffuie at Luc-sur-Mer (Normandy), and by Prouho at Roscoff and at Banyuls. Its wide distribution, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, made it almost certain that it would be found in British waters when looked for in the right place. Ehlers discovered it in the substance of the tubes of Terebella (Lanice) conchilega, while Joyeux-Laffuie and Prouho found it in the tubes of Chætopterus.