The confirmation of active breeding follows an earlier survey at the site that yielded only dead adult specimens. Natural Resources Wales noted that the distribution of larvae points to a freshly hatched batch from a larger reproductive event. Adults can grow up to 24mm in length and are active exclusively on warm, sunny days between March and June. The site currently stands as the beetle's sole known habitat within Wales.
Key points
Castlemartin Range currently serves as the only identified habitat for this rare beetle i…: Castlemartin Range currently serves as the only identified habitat for this rare beetle in Wales.
The species is classed as nationally rare in Great Britain and marked as vulnerable on th…: The species is classed as nationally rare in Great Britain and marked as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Conservationists emphasize that maintaining flower-rich coastal grassland is essential fo…: Conservationists emphasize that maintaining flower-rich coastal grassland is essential for the long-term survival of the species.
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A rare species of beetle has been found in Pembrokeshire after being missing from Wales for 60 years.
The Short-Necked Oil Beetle are dependent on solitary bees for its lifecycle and need a particular habitat to survive, with thick vegetation for shelter and dense flower coverage both essential.
They were not reported in the UK for almost 60 years after 1948 as habitat loss brought the species to the brink of extinction.
Anne Hobbs, from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said it was "very exciting" that the evidence suggested the species was breeding in Wales again.
Last year, the survey at Castlemartin found only dead adults of this particular beetle, raising concerns about the future of this species and its continued presence on the site.
But this year, after three years of searching, experts discovered larvae of the beetle on a small area of the site, suggesting that surveyors had managed to find some of the hatchlings from a larger batch of immature beetles.
The number and distribution of the beetle larvae seen also supported this, according to Natural…
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