Car parks good for critically endangered beetles
A critically endangered species of longhorn beetle has been found to be flourishing in Glenmore at a car park site managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
Thought to be restricted to the Strathspey area only in the UK, the beetle was found to be thriving at FLS’ Hayfield site as well as two other locations.
The findings are the result of surveys carried out as part of a species-specific project, led by a team from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and involving citizen science volunteers. Started in 2024, the project has been funded by the Cairngorms Trust.
The project aims to gather information on the beetles feeding behaviour, habitat preferences, and the types of deadwood they’re using, to inform a planned ‘breeding-for-release’ project at Highland Wildlife Park.
Georgina Lindsay, RZSS Conservation Manager, said;
“We have started this conservation programme with the aim of boosting the blood red longhorn numbers and range in the wild.
“Success will hinge on getting several factors right so finding decent numbers of the species at these FLS locations is really good news because it gives us a good idea of the sorts of habitat elements to focus on.
“Basically, they seem to need a mix of open, nectar-rich ground near pine woodland with deadwood available and the land around the Hayfield and Allt Barn car parks in Glenmore meets all of these requirements.”
Prior to the project starting, there were fewer than 100 records for this species on the National Biodiversity Network Atlas. They had been recorded as present in Glenmore in very low numbers but across the past two survey seasons over 50 individuals have been recorded in Glenmore.
Georgina added;
“That’s a big increase from previous records and a really encouraging sign for the project that will help us understand the species and what it needs in the wild.”
The larvae develop in standing or fallen deadwood and the adults feed on flowers like yarrow and wild angelica, flowers that like open, sunny edges around car parks and paths.
Areas where deadwood is allowed to lie and where the flower rich areas are not cut until after the beetles’ flight season (late August) are crucial to reviving the species’ fortunes.
Colin Leslie, FLS Environment Advisor, said;
“This is a great find and once again illustrates the importance of deadwood in our landscapes. As part of our restoration of the native Pinewoods in the Strathspey area we have been increasing the amount of deadwood within the forests by retaining fallen trees, stumps and standing dead trees.
“That the blood red longhorn beetles have been found in such good numbers suggests a habitat that’s functioning well, with both floral diversity and deadwood structure in place.
“And the beetles don’t just benefit from that, they also help to sustain it. The larvae help break down dead pinewood, which puts nutrients back into the soil, and the adults are valuable pollinators. Their presence brings benefits for a whole range of other species.
“By not cutting the vegetation around the edges of the car park during the summer, we are able to create more food sources for many insects, including these rare beetles.”
Notes to Editor
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
- During the surveys, each beetle was colour-marked to avoid double-counting, so there is confidence in the numbers.
- It is likely that the main reason for the blood red longhorn beetles’ decline is the loss of mature Scots pine woodland.
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