'Fascinating' rare beetle found in Wales again after 60 years
It was feared The Short-Necked Oil Beetle had become extinct in Wales after recent surveys
A rare species of beetle, known as the Short-Necked Oil Beetle, has been discovered in Pembrokeshire, Wales after a 60-year absence. These beetles, which are dependent on solitary bees for their lifecycle, require specific habitats with thick vegetation for shelter and dense flower coverage to thrive. In the UK, they were last seen in 1948 due to habitat loss that brought them close to extinction.
Anne Hobbs, from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, expressed excitement that the evidence suggests the species is breeding again in Wales. Last year, a survey at Castlemartin found only dead adults, raising concerns about the beetle's future. However, this year, after three years of searching, experts found larvae of the beetle on a small area of the site, indicating they had discovered hatchlings from a larger batch of immature beetles.
NRW confirmed the number and distribution of the larvae supported this finding. The Short-Necked Oil Beetle is considered nationally rare within Great Britain and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They are typically found from March to June in flower-rich coastal grassland and sand dune habitats and are most active on warm, sunny days.
Adults can grow up to 24mm in length and have an adult lifespan of approximately one year. Currently, there are only a handful of suitable sites in the UK where these beetles can be found, with the only place in Wales being Castlemartin Range. The project to conserve this species is part of Wales' flagship species recovery program, aiming to protect the Short-Necked Oil Beetle and other species sharing similar habitats.
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