Mini backpacks track movements of rare beetle

Radio trackers record their daily comings and goings in various woods across Dartmoor

Radio trackers, similar to mini backpacks, have been placed on rare beetles across Dartmoor in a bid to record their movements.

University of Exeter researchers, working with the Woodland Trust, said they had placed trackers on 36 blue ground beetles in a bid to support conservation efforts.

The results found one beetle scaled multiple kilometres at night in search of food and mates.

Researchers said the project could provide "essential" insight into how conservationists might protect and restore rare habitats in the face of climate change.

PhD researcher Brogan Pett said the beetles would rest in mossy logs of decaying deadwood during the day

The mainly nocturnal species can grow up to 38mm (1.5in) long and is named after its striking blue wing cases.

The researchers are being led by Dr Nick Royle, with PhD researcher Brogan Pett.

Dr Royle said very little was known about the biology of a blue ground beetle, which was one of the "largest and rarest" species of ground beetle in the UK.

Dr Royle said such knowledge was "essential" to develop successful conservation practices to boost populations.

The trackers found some beetles were faster and more adventurous foragers than others, project bosses said.

Other beetles were found to have ventured out for multiple days before returning to their base, they added.

Mr Prett said the beetles were only active for a few months a year during warm, humid evenings in late spring and early summer to feast on slugs and to search for mates.

“Our radio-tracking revealed that they also prefer to stay away from the outside border of their woodland habitat," he said.

Woodland Trust site manager of the trust-owned Bovey Valley Woods, Sam Manning, said the project would help inform vital decisions about managing rainforests.

Sam said: “Blue ground beetles are an important indicator of a healthy rainforest here in the South West, so we can see exactly what it is they need to thrive and repopulate."