Miniature cottages prove the ideal nurseries for rare beetles

A special design of miniature ‘beetle cottage' is helping to promote the survival of one of the UK's rarest beetles.

For the first time a Scarlet Malachite Beetle (Malachius aeneus) has emerged from a larvae found in one of these special cottages this summer.

The small but handsome beetle is not only incredibly rare, it is rather mysterious.

The beetle is found mainly in Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire, although it was once found in counties across the south and east of England.

The reason for its decline is not known, but is thought to be caused by general habitat loss and intensive farming practices. 

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