Following on from our Rare Beetle Article – Scarlet Malachite
Following on from our article last year, regarding the rare Scarlet Malachite Beetle which, according to the experts, depends on thatch to complete its lifecycle, we are pleased to bring you an update.
Jilly’s Thatched Roof
Our last article was about Jilly, who was making thatch accommodation for the Scarlet Malachite Beetles in Essex. Currently, Essex and Hampshire are the strongholds and best sites where you may see them, although they were all over the UK in the past.
She reported the first beetle sighting at her place in Essex on 10th May last year… Sadly, just a single beetle she rescued from the pond, but where there’s one? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
But there is more on this update….
Thatching Material
Our update article idea started with a call from Ian Hughes, who was referenced in our last article and is an expert on the scarlet malachite beetle. He has worked with Scarlet Malachite Beetles for 20 years (intensely for 10) and was trying to source some thatch to make some new accommodation for them…
His questions were on the material and its suitability and where he could locate. We, obviously, were able to help with this via one of our helpful Master Thatcher associates. the bonus was that old thatching material was deemed perfectly adequate for his purposes.
The Current Effort for the Scarlet Malachite Beetle
Ian mentioned that the current effort to help the Scarlet Malachite Beetle population, is being generously funded by the New Forest Biodiversity Forum.
We think Ian’s graphic below negates the need for long explanation.
Thatchers and Thatch dwellers
Please all keep your eyes open for the Scarlet Malachite Beetles, at any stage of development and let us, or preferably Ian, know if you have any sightings.
Further reading on the Scarlet Malachite Beetle from Lifeforms Art
