READING residents are being encouraged to take part in a survey charting the numbers of an increasingly endangered species.
People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is urging volunteers across the UK to record and submit sightings of stag beetles and their larvae as part of its annual Great Stag Hunt.
While they were once widespread and commonplace, habitat loss has led to declining numbers in parts of the UK and in Western Europe.
As part of its efforts to help the species, the charity is encouraging members of the public to gather information about the insects and provide new habitats where possible.
Stag beetles are the largest land beetles in the UK and emerge from the ground from late May to July for the mating season.
The males are recognisable from their large, antler-like jaws, and can be seen flying or crawling in wooded areas, gardens, and alotments, as well as warm tarmac surfaces in urban area.
This is due to their preference for warmth, low levels of rainfall, and light soil, meaning they are widespread in southern England.
PTES is particularly seeking contributions from those in Norfolk, Cheshire, Bedfordshire, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Shropshire.
Last year 9,334 sightings were recorded via the charity’s website, more than 2,000 of which were in Cumbria, and a further 1,781 in Greater London.
It also saw a surprise sighting in Cumbria, where stag beetles had not previously been known to inhabit.
Laura Bower, Conservation Officer at PTES says: “Last year almost 10,000 sightings were recorded by thousands of volunteers, giving us a real insight into where their range is, which is crucial for the species’ long-term survival.
“More help is always needed though, so whether you’re out in the garden, dog walking in a local park, on the school run or even walking to the pub, keep your eyes peeled for these beautiful beetles and tell us about any you see.
“You don’t need to be a beetle expert or have taken part before, as PTES has a free ‘beetle ID’ guide to help anyone new to the survey to help them tell the differences between stag beetles and other insects.”
She continued: “This record from a woodland in Cumbria was really surprising, as we weren’t previously aware that stag beetles were in this part of the country.
“We now really need anyone in the Keswick area where this stag beetle was spotted to find out if that beetle is part of a wider population or if it was somehow transported there by accident.”
Residents can also take part in a longer-term count by contributing to an extra survey which includes six, 30-minute walks looking for the beetles during June and July.
They are also encouraged to build log piles in gardens, which provides vital food sources for larvae and shelter for stag beetles to lay their eggs.
To take part in the survey, record findings, or find out more about the charity’s work, visit: stagbeetles.ptes.org
