Fear rare beetle could be extinct in England

A rare beetle might be extinct in England after a survey failed to confirm any sightings, a charity said.

Conservation charity Buglife asked for the public's help last year to find evidence of the Strandline Beetle (Eurynebria complanata), which was last spotted in England 23 years ago in Braunton Burrows, north Devon.

The charity said it had five public responses to a survey, with two sightings in Swansea Bay, Wales, but no sightings were recorded in England.

Buglife spokesperson Paul Hetherington said it was looking unlikely the beetle was still in England but "further work" was needed before it could say conclusively.

The beetle has black and sandy coloured patterns and is about 20mm (0.8in) long.

It lives on sandy beaches where it hides under debris.

Mr Hetherington said the charity would carry out more surveys this year.

He added the charity was also investigating whether the loss of driftwood through mechanical beach cleaning had impacted on the beetle's decline in England.

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