Blue Ground Beetle

This large distinctive species was once thought to be extinct in the UK until it was rediscovered in Dartmoor in 1994. Until recently, this rare and globally threatened species was seemingly confined to just handful of UK sites in Devon and Cornwall. In 2012, however, a local resident found the beetle in a woodpile in his garage! After contacting Buglife the specimen was confirmed to be the Blue ground beetle and subsequent surveys found it to be present in the nearby Coed Maesmelin – an ancient oak woodland owned and managed by the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) in Skewen, Neath Port Talbot. Until its discovery at Coed Maesmelin, it had never been recorded in Wales!

The Blue ground beetle lives in damp deciduous woodlands of oak and beech, often on south-facing slopes of river valleys. Most sites are ancient pasture woodlands with sparse ground vegetation, high humidity and an abundance of deadwood and veteran trees. The Blue ground beetle population in the UK and Europe has declined significantly due to the loss, fragmentation and lack of appropriate management of ancient woodlands.

Coed Maesmelin is the only place in Wales where the Blue ground beetle is found. It is a nationally important site and the most northerly population of Blue ground beetle in Europe. Currently, some areas of the woodland are in unfavourable condition for the beetle and habitat management is needed to conserve it.

The Blue ground beetle project aims to conserve the natural heritage of the Blue ground beetle and the long-term protection of its ancient woodland habitat in Coed Maesmelin. By delivering targeted habitat management work, more favourable habitat conditions for Blue ground beetle will be created at Coed Maesmelin, allowing the population of this extremely rare beetle to increase.

The project will also deliver:

• A series of training workshops proving volunteers with the skills required to survey for Blue ground beetle and how to assess the woodland habitat in which it is found;
• Blue ground beetle species surveys and woodland habitat mapping; and
• Guided walks and illustrated talks to learn about the cultural and natural history of Coed Maesmelin;

Local archives will be used along with current images of the woodland and presented at a photo exhibition held in Skewen with support from the local history group.