UK conservation charity Buglife’s citizen science challenge, the Scottish Oil Beetle Hunt, is issuing a name for assist. “As a part of the partnership programme, Species on the Edge, members of the general public are requested to look out for these wonderful beetles and document any sightings.”

In response to the group, Scottish data of oil beetles on iRecord greater than doubled final yr because of the 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 data 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 data on account of points with misidentification.

In 2023, Brief-necked Oil Beetle have been discovered on Tiree for the primary time by Ranger Hayley Douglas. Lengthy considered current, this discovery is the newest 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 bold 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 in all 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 (Internal Hebrides), in addition to Uist and Barra (Outer Hebrides). Classed as Weak on the IUCN Crimson Record, this species is at excessive threat of extinction and subsequently it’s crucial that we study extra about this wonderful 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 wanting like they’re sporting an ill-fitting waistcoat; the ‘waistcoat’ being the brief wing circumstances that don’t absolutely cowl the beetle’s stomach.

Oil beetles are beneath risk. Populations have declined because of the lack of flower-rich habitats owing to adjustments 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 upon them for survival. Scotland has fewer oil beetle data than each England and Wales, so it’s attainable that oil beetles are beneath recorded in Scotland. To get a greater understanding of their present distribution in Scotland, it’s essential we maintain a have a look at and listen to about all sightings of oil beetles.

Sally Morris, Buglife Conservation Officer, explains: “Final yr was nice for oil beetles in Scotland, however we’re nonetheless far behind England and Wales for data – it’s time we catch up! Have you ever ever seen a shiny black beetle which may be an oil beetle? Please ship us a photograph and assist us to study extra about these wonderful beetles inside Scotland.”

Oil beetles have a tremendous life cycle, intricately linked to that of solitary bees. After hatching, oil beetle larvae (often called triungulins) make their manner onto a flower head the place they lie in anticipate a solitary bee. Utilizing specialised hooks on their ft, 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 improvement 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 begin the life cycle another time.

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 because of the availability of compact naked floor by which they’ll 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 data is required to participate, anybody and everybody is inspired to submit data utilizing the iRecord app (with a number of photographs if attainable), or to ship in particulars through e mail. Please tell us what you discover on social media utilizing the hashtag #OilBeetleHunt! An identification information could be discovered right here.

Extra particulars could be discovered on the hyperlink: Oil Beetle Recording Scheme | UK Beetle Recording (coleoptera.org.uk)

Buglife welcomes any data, nevertheless they’re significantly concerned with data from Argyll and the Hebrides as these are the places the place Brief-necked Oil Beetles are probably to be discovered.

The Species on the Edge programme can be asking for volunteers to assist seek for Brief-necked Oil Beetles in probably places within the Hebrides.

“In case you have a spare couple of hours from April – June and wish to seek for this wonderful beetle in sand dunes and machair grassland close to you, please contact scotland@buglife.org.uk. All coaching and help are offered, and no expertise is important.”

“Due to Nationwide Lottery gamers, Species on the Edge is supporting conservation work and interesting with native communities across the coast and islands of Scotland. For extra info on learn how to become involved in different Species on the Edge work please contact our Conservation Crew through scotland@buglife.org.uk.”