To expand the scarlet malachite beetle (SMB) population using specially built beetle cottages, from one location in the village, to new sites in Wimbish, Essex. SMB’s are listed on Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme as a species to “Bring Back from the Brink of Extinction”.
There is currently a population of SMB’s in Wimbish in one area only. This project will expand the population across the village using specially built beetle cottages.
Outreach to the local community for help with providing sites and building cottages/ supplying material eg old wasps nests and beeswax, and to the local primary school to tell the children about the beetle and the importance of the project.
Outcomes – yearly surveying to monitor each site for beetle presence. Counts will be made and data sent to the local biological records centre (Essex Field Club).
If this project is successful, expanding the project to other sites outside of Wimbish.
KEY ACTIVITES AND TIMELINE
Awaiting decisions from all funding applications.
