| Fab beetle spotted at Devon heath | |
|  | | Kugelann's ground beetle |
| | For the first time ever, a very rare species of beetle has been spotted at Aylesbeare Common in East Devon.
It's called Kugelann's ground beetle - and it's causing a lot of excitement for nature lovers. |
| | | One of Britain's rarest beetles has been discovered at Aylesbeare Common nature reserve in East Devon.
It's the very first time the Kugelann's ground beetle has been spotted at the heathland, which is a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) nature reserve.
In fact, the beautiful beetle has never before been seen at any RSPB nature reserve - until now.
The beetle is red data listed - which means it is a highly endangered species.
Just five years ago, there was only a single sighting of the beetle in Britain - and that was in the New Forest, Hampshire.
 | | Aylesbeare heathland |
Since then, nature groups such as the RSPB and English Nature have worked together to provide the sort of habitat and conditions which attract the beetle.
And the programme has worked, because the beetle has recently been spotted in heathland along the south of England - including Bicton Common in East Devon.
The chances are that the species has made its way from Bicton to Aylesbeare.
The Aylesbeare beetle was discovered by Buckfastleigh entomologist John Walters: "There's no doubt that conservation management work at the RSPB reserve has helped this beetle colonise this area of heathland," he said.
"They prefer south facing patches of ground with bare earth and low lying heather for cover, so the pebble beds of East Devon heaths are ideal as long as they don't become overgrown."
The beetle isn't the only rare visitor to be spotted in Devon this summer. The hummingbird hawk moth has also flown into the county to make the most of the warm weather.
The Aylesbeare reserve is grazed by cattle, which ensures that the heath is not invaded by scrub. Their dung also attracts a wide variety of insects - adding to the biodiversity of the heathland.
Creatures which can be found on the common are birds such as the Dartford warbler and nightjar, reptiles, bats, moths, dragon and damselflies, and over 30 kinds of butterfly.
Article first published: 13th August2003
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