Join the Hunt: Rare Scottish Oil Beetles Need Your Eagle Eyes
- WireNews
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Spring has arrived and the search for Scotland's elusive oil beetles is on! Conservation charity, Buglife Scotland, is calling for public help to find these fascinating creatures.
Since launching in 2023, Buglife’s Scottish Oil Beetle Hunt has gathered over 300 records, with more than 100 coming through the Species on the Edge partnership programme, leading to exciting new Scottish oil beetle discoveries.
"New sites for oil beetles are found every year, and every record helps us better understand these amazing beetles," says Sally Morris, Buglife Species on the Edge Conservation Officer. "Have you spotted a shiny black beetle that might be an oil beetle? Send us a photo and help us learn more about these charismatic beetles in Scotland."
What Makes Oil Beetles Special?
There are five species of oil beetle in the UK, but only three are found in Scotland, these are the Black Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), Violet Oil Beetle (Meloe violaceus) and Short-necked Oil Beetle (Meloe brevicollis). Their populations have declined due to habitat loss and wild bee declines, making public sightings crucial for conservation efforts.
These distinctive, charismatic beetles:
exude a yellowish oil from their leg joints when threatened;
appear to wear an "ill-fitting waistcoat" due to their short wing cases;
have a remarkable life cycle tied to solitary bees—their larvae hitch rides on bees to access underground nests;
can be spotted in wildflower grasslands, heathland, and coastal areas from March to June
The rarest of these threatened species is the Short-necked Oil Beetle, which has only been found at a handful of locations within Scotland – the Isles of Coll, Islay and Tiree (Inner Hebrides), as well as Uist and Barra (Outer Hebrides). This oil beetle is a focus species for the Species on the Edge programme, a partnership between NatureScot, Buglife and other wildlife charities. Through the work of Species on the Edge, Buglife hopes to improve the fortunes of this special beetle.
To date, the Species on the Edge programme has documented over 280 individual Short-necked Oil Beetles; with recent surveys revealing previously unknown populations on Tiree and across North and South Uist. It is hoped that with more eyes looking more populations will be discovered!
How You Can Help?
Taking part is easy, there is a guide to identifying oil beetles on Buglife’s website (buglife.org.uk). Then just keep your eyes peeled, watch where you step and submit sightings through the iRecord app with photos.
Additionally, you can share findings on social media using #OilBeetleHunt and Buglife is asking for volunteers to help search for Short-necked Oil Beetles in likely locations in the Hebrides from April to June; no experience is needed and full training and support are provided.
Records from Argyll, the Hebrides and coastal locations are especially valuable but anyone can join the hunt. If you spot an oil beetle, record your sighting to let Buglife know!
For more information and to learn more about upcoming training dates please visit buglife.org.uk/scottish-oil-beetle-hunt.
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About Buglife |
Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust is the only charity in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates. Our aim is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and to achieve sustainable populations of invertebrates across the UK. We are working hard to achieve this through: Undertaking practical conservation projects that will contribute to achieving our aim. Promoting the environmental importance of invertebrates and raising awareness about the challenges to their survival. Assisting in the development of legislation and policy that will ensure the conservation of invertebrates. Developing and disseminating knowledge about how to conserve invertebrates. Encouraging and supporting invertebrate conservation initiatives by other organisations in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Further information is available on Buglife’s website at www.buglife.org.uk
Species on the Edge |
Species on the Edge is an ambitious four-year programme for species recovery in Scotland that aims to take action for 37 declining and threatened species across Scotland’s coasts and islands. It is a partnership programme of eight organisations, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The partnership consists of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, NatureScot, Plantlife and RSPB Scotland.
For Further Information Please contact |
Species on the Edge Conservation Officer:
Sally Morris | Sally.Morris@buglife.org.uk | 0300 102 7375
Senior Communications Officer:
Nikki Banfield | Nikki.Banfield@buglife.org.uk | 07881 025 043