Archive Article: 2002/06/21

21 June 2002

The Hazel Pot beetle, heading towards extinction after 50 years of decline, could make a comeback thanks to pioneering work by The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, English Nature and the University of Leeds. The first generation of adults born in the wild have emerged two years after captive-bred beetles were introduced to a new site. "Its the first time that a rare beetle has successfully been re-established as part of a conservation project in Britain," says Dave Bromwich of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The beetles, which now survive in just three locations, need hot, sunny and sheltered conditions. And despite its name, they also appear to prefer young birch saplings to hazel!