Eyed Longhorn Beetle Project

Longhorn beetles are integral members of woodland ecosystems, helping to cycle nutrients from wood back into the environment. The Eyed Longhorn Beetle is closely associated with willow carr, or wet woodland.

What will the project do? 

In the UK, the Eyed Longhorn Beetle has been reduced to a single population in a very small, unprotected area of suitable habitat; making this species extremely vulnerable to extinction.

A main aim of this project will be to survey both the known location, as well as suitable habitat in the surrounding area, to determine if there are any additional populations previously unknown to us. Surveys will also be done in areas with historic records, to see if any individuals remain.

A novel survey technique looking at the oviposition scars of the adult females, will also be trialled to determine its effectiveness for establishing presence of Eyed Longhorn Beetles.

Survey results will be used to update species status and to develop a species recovery plan. This will include actions such as working with local landowners/managers to plant host plants, plan habitat management interventions, and expanding available habitat which will connect sites, encouraging colonisation.

Training will be provided for volunteers who are interested in supporting the recovery of the Eyed Longhorn Beetle in order to ensure the longevity of this project and, hopefully, with more eyes in the field we can find additional populations of this rare beetle.

How can you support the project?

For now, consider supporting Buglife’s work and help us continue to save the small things that run the planet!

You might also like to find out more about our other species recovery projects.