Rara besouro-retratado descoberto em Wales após ausência de 60 anos

A rare species of beetle, known as the Short-Necked Oil Beetle, has been found in Pembrokeshire, a region in southern Wales, after not being observed there for nearly 60 years. This discovery, reported by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, is a significant step in the conservation efforts for the endangered species.

Historically, the Short-Necked Oil Beetle has been recorded in the UK since 1948, but it went missing for decades due to habitat loss, pushing the species to the brink of extinction. The recent sighting marks the beetle's comeback, highlighting a glimmer of hope for the conservation efforts in Wales. Anne Hobbs, from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, expressed excitement about the discovery, stating, "It is very exciting that evidence suggests the species is breeding in Wales again."

The beetle, named after its stubby shape and ability to secrete an oily yellow-orange substance when alarmed, is classified as nationally rare within Great Britain and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is dependent on solitary bees for its lifecycle and requires a specific habitat, including thick vegetation for shelter and dense flower coverage.

Experts have praised the discovery, seeing it as a positive sign for the species' future. The larvae of the Short-Necked Oil Beetle lurk among flowers and are transported back to their nests by bees, feeding on pollen collected during their travels. In a recent survey at Castlemartin, experts found larvae of the beetle, marking the first time larvae were spotted in Wales in over 60 years.

The Short-Necked Oil Beetle project is part of Wales's "flagship species recovery programme," which works to conserve this species and others sharing similar habitats. Despite the challenges faced in finding larvae, the recent sightings in Castlemartin Range, the only place in Wales where the species can be found, are a cause for celebration and a testament to ongoing conservation efforts.