The public are being enlisted to help with the search for a rare coastal insect
East coast residents are being asked to help cover more than 700 miles of coastline in search of one of the UK’s rarest insects.
Endangered species conservation programme, Species on the Edge, and invertebrate charity Buglife are trying to establish the population level of the Bordered Brown Lacewing.
The Bordered Brown Lacewing (Megalomus hirtus) is a small, brown lacewing with finely marked wings, around 1 cm in length.
It is known from only a handful of sites along the east coast of Scotland, although evidence suggests that there could be more, yet-to-be-discovered populations to be found.
The search area spans from Eyemouth in the south up to John O’Groats in the north.
And there will be activities in Angus and south Aberdeenshire run by Species on the Edge.
On Wednesday, June 10 there will be an ID and survey session at St Cyrus NNR from 12.30pm – 3.30pm.
Another session at St Cyrus will be held at the same time on Saturday, June 20 while on Tuesday, June 23, at 2pm there will be another ID and survey session at Cove Bay harbour.
There are various ways people can help. One option is simply looking for and reporting sightings of Wood Sage, a plant strongly associated with the Bordered Brown Lacewing.
Wood Sage has crinkly, sage-green leaves. In flower – July to September – it has straw-coloured flowers growing on leafless spikes.
Other options for helping are surveying potential habitat – looking for areas similar in appearance and character to where the Bordered Brown Lacewing is currently found and reporting on the area’s features – and looking for the beastie itself.
Fiona Basford, Species on the Edge’s Buglife Conservation Officer on the east coast, said: “There’s still so much we don’t know about the Bordered Brown Lacewing. It’s been found at a handful of locations along the east coast of Scotland, but we’re sure there are more populations out there.
“We know it likes exposed, rocky, coastal slopes where Wood Sage grows, so we’re asking people to help us find this type of habitat.
“We can then send teams to go and check these areas for Bordered Brown Lacewings.
"Or, you can have a look for the elusive beastie yourself and let us know if you find one!
“We know it’s a big task we’ve got ahead of us, which is why we’re asking for help from our fantastic communities across the east coast.”
Both organisations are inviting anyone who finds Wood Sage to submit their sighting using the iRecord app or via irecord.org.uk.
Those keen to get involved in more advanced surveys, such as habitat surveys or looking for the Bordered Brown Lacewing itself, are invited to get in touch with Fiona by emailing [email protected].
Fiona will provide further information including important health and safety information and survey forms.
To find out more, visit: www.speciesontheedge.co.uk/events.