WILDLIFE experts have unearthed a rare species of beetle on Anglesey.
The longhorn Morimus Asper Beetle, usually found in Italy and Eastern Europe, is thought to have reached the island on imported wood.
The one inch long insect is believed to be the first of its type discovered in Wales, and was sent to be examined at the National Museum of Wales.
Brian Levey, the museums’ Curator of Coleoptera, said that Anglesey was not likely to see a beetle invasion.
“This is probably the first time Morimus Asper has been found in Wales and as it originates from a much warmer climate, it is unlikely to become established in the UK,” he said.
There are around 20,000 species of longhorn beetle worldwide, and the Morimus Asper variety is considered an endangered species. Most have larvae that feed in woody plants.
Some attack living trees and can cause considerable economic damage, while others live only in already dead wood as part of the great recycling system which helps to break down of the wood.
The larger species usually live for several years as a larva before becoming adult.
In general the adult only lives for a few weeks or months, although some like Morimus asper can survive for more than a year as an adult.
The find was made by Heather Jones, a joiner’s wife, who spotted the creature on wood that her husband was using to make a table.