A rare beetle is found hiding in Sherwood Forest after a 70 year absence.<\/p>\n
The Hazel Pot Beetle<\/a>, Cryptocephalus coryli, has been found living within the ancient woodland of Birklands<\/a>.<\/p>\n About 8mm in length it was rediscovered<\/a> at the Birklands and Bilhaugh Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2008 by local naturalists Trevor and Dilys Pendleton<\/a><\/p>\n A further survey in 2009 found a healthy population resident in the forest and the SSSI was the only site in the country where the beetle had been found that year.<\/p>\n The beetle, which once occurred more widely across England is a key species in the UK\u2019s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), and therefore extremely important to the country\u2019s wildlife.<\/p>\n The species depends on young birch and oak trees within sheltered and sunlit areas the woodland.<\/p>\n Hazel pot beetles have their unusual name because the female adult lays her eggs in containers she constructs from her own dung.<\/p>\n Steve Clifton, Natural England’s Lead Adviser for the SSSI, said: \u201cThis exciting re-discovery confirms how vital this and the other SSSIs of Sherwood Forest are for the survival of our biodiversity and highlights how important the sensitive management and ongoing stewardship of SSSIs by their owners is in protecting them.\u201d<\/p>\n [pullquote]SSSIs, such as those in Sherwood Forest are often all that stand between some of our most threatened species and extinction. The Birklands and Bilhaugh SSSI in Sherwood Forest is amongst ten of the country\u2019s most important wildlife sites and the last refuges of some of our rarest species.<\/p>\n The SSSIs range from romantic islands and royal parks to ancient fenland and spectacular dales.<\/p>\n They are the best examples of wildlife and geology that Britain can offer.<\/p>\n
\nMaddy Jago, Natural England\u2019s East Midlands Director<\/strong>[\/pullquote]<\/p>\n