Car parks good for critically endangered beetles

A critically endangered blood red longhorn beetle is thriving at car park sites in Glenmore managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. The beetle was once thought to live only in Strathspey. Over 50 were recorded during surveys led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland with citizen volunteers.

The beetles prefer open, flower-rich ground near pine woodland with standing or fallen deadwood. Larvae break down dead pine, returning nutrients to the soil, while adults pollinate flowers.

Conservation efforts, including leaving vegetation uncut until after the beetles’ flight season, are helping restore populations and improve habitats for other species in the area.