UK conservation charity Buglife’s citizen science venture, the Scottish Oil Beetle Huntis issuing a name for assist. “As part of the partnership programme, Species on the Edge, members of the public are asked to look out for these amazing beetles and record any sightings.”
Based on the group, Scottish information of oil beetles on iRecord greater than doubled final yr as a result of mixed effort of the Scottish Oil Beetle Hunt and surveying carried out by the Species on the Edge group. Survey work for Brief-necked Oil Beetle specifically yielded over 100 information of particular person beetles, with many new websites found for the species. The Black Oil Beetle was additionally confirmed from Scotland, following doubt about earlier information as a consequence of points with misidentification.
In 2023, Short-necked Oil Beetle had been discovered on Tiree for the primary time by Ranger Hayley Douglas. Lengthy considered current, this discovery is the most recent new island website for the species, following on from populations present in North Uist in 2022, and Barra and Islay in 2021.
Species on the Edge is described as an formidable four-year programme for species restoration in Scotland that goals to take motion for 37 declining and threatened species throughout Scotland’s coasts and islands. It’s a partnership programme of eight organisations, funded by The Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund. The partnership consists of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Belief, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Belief, Butterfly Conservation, NatureScot, Plantlife and RSPB Scotland.
One among these threatened species is the Brief-necked Oil Beetle, which has solely been present in a handful of places inside Scotland – the Isles of Coll, Islay and Tiree (Inside Hebrides), in addition to Uist and Barra (Outer Hebrides). Classed as Weak on the IUCN Crimson Checklist, this species is at excessive danger of extinction and due to this fact it’s crucial that we be taught extra about this superb beetle to assist enhance its fortunes.
Oil beetles are eye-catching, charismatic beetles which can be so-called as a result of they exude a yellowish oily substance from their leg joints when threatened. They’ve been described as trying like they’re carrying an ill-fitting waistcoat; the ‘waistcoat’ being the quick wing instances that don’t totally cowl the beetle’s stomach.
Oil beetles are below menace. Populations have declined as a result of lack of flower-rich habitats owing to modifications in countryside administration. As oil beetles are nest parasites of solitary bees, declines in populations of untamed bees has worsened their fortunes additional as they rely on them for survival. Scotland has fewer oil beetle information than each England and Wales, so it’s attainable that oil beetles are below recorded in Scotland. To get a greater understanding of their present distribution in Scotland, it’s vital we hold a have a look at and listen to about all sightings of oil beetles.
Sally Morris, Buglife Conservation Officer, explains: “Last year was great for oil beetles in Scotland, but we’re still far behind England and Wales for records – it’s time we catch up! Have you ever seen a shiny black beetle that may be an oil beetle? Please send us a photo and help us to learn more about these amazing beetles within Scotland.”
Oil beetles have an incredible life cycle, intricately linked to that of solitary bees. After hatching, oil beetle larvae (often called triungulins) make their means onto a flower head the place they lie in look ahead to a solitary bee. Utilizing specialised hooks on their toes, they connect themselves to the again of a visiting feminine bee and when the bee returns to its underground nest, the triungulin disembarks and continues its growth underground, consuming via the bee’s shops of pollen and nectar. Relying on species, they then emerge in the identical or following yr, as an grownup oil beetle prepared to start out the life cycle once more.
There are 5 species of oil beetle within the UK, solely three are present in Scotland, these are the Black Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), Violet Oil Beetle (Meloe violaceus) and Brief-necked Oil Beetle (Meloe brevicollis). They’re giant, shiny black beetles, usually with a slight blue or inexperienced tinge to their colouring that may be seen in wildflower-rich grasslands, heathland, and coastal areas from March to June. They’re usually seen crossing footpaths as a result of availability of compact naked floor during which they will burrow.
This survey is in partnership with the Nationwide Oil Beetle Recording scheme, launched in 2021. This scheme was established to assist us perceive extra about oil beetle abundance, distribution and ecology within the UK. No prior information is required to participate, anybody and everybody is inspired to submit information utilizing the iRecord app (with a number of images if attainable), or to ship in particulars by way of electronic mail. Please tell us what you discover on social media utilizing the hashtag #OilBeetleHunt! An identification information might be discovered here.
Extra particulars might be discovered on the hyperlink: Oil Beetle Recording Scheme | UK Beetle Recording (coleoptera.org.uk)
Buglife welcomes any information, nonetheless they’re significantly excited by information from Argyll and the Hebrides as these are the places the place Brief-necked Oil Beetles are most definitely to be discovered.
The Species on the Edge programme can also be asking for volunteers to assist seek for Brief-necked Oil Beetles in probably places within the Hebrides.
“If you have a spare couple of hours from April – June and want to search for this amazing beetle in sand dunes and machair grassland near you, please contact scotland@buglife.org.uk. All training and support are provided, and no experience is necessary.”
“Thanks to National Lottery players, Species on the Edge is supporting conservation work and engaging with local communities around the coast and islands of Scotland. For more information on how to get involved in other Species on the Edge work please contact our Conservation Team via scotland@buglife.org.uk.”
