Ruby tail wasp found in Scunthorpe – the second record in 30 years

12^th December 2011

The survey report is part of a wider project by Buglife with funding from SITA Trust to create and improve habitats on a number of sites across Scunthorpe.

Ruby tail wasp (Chrysis viridula) © Roger Key

Clare Dinham, Buglife Brownfield Conservation Officer said “This three year project in Scunthorpe is already underway with our exciting bug survey results being published today. The Ruby tail wasp was found in abundance on the Tata steelworks site. We believe that the sandy banks and vertical faces on the site are ideal nest sites for this solitary wasp. This site has great potential so we look forward to improving it even more for bugs”.

Buglife will be improving five sites across Scunthorpe including sites managed by North Lincolnshire Council and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, all of which are ex-industrial land. One active industrial site – Tata Steelworks, also included within the project is proving to be an important site for bugs in North Lincolnshire.

Chris Jackson, Environment Engineer at Tata Steelworks said “Tata steel are really pleased to be working with Buglife on this project as it demonstrates how industry and nature can exist side by side and flourish”.

Clare Dinham, Buglife Brownfield Conservation Officer said “This autumn we have been working on habitat management including scrub clearance to make space for nectar and pollen rich flowers for butterflies, beetles and bees”.

The work to improve these sites for bugs is part of a national Buglife project to create networks of ‘Stepping Stones for Wildlife’ on brownfield sites across the UK.

Jools Granville of SITA Trust said “We are extremely pleased to be able to support such a fantastic project where local industry, nature conservation and the local community can work together to conserve and protect rare and endangered wildlife”.