Rare scarlet malachite beetle discovered in Surrey

The insect was common in England until the 1930s

A volunteer from London's Natural History Museum has discovered a new population of one of Britain's rarest insects in Surrey.

The scarlet malachite beetle was found during a study at Bookham Common.

The 8mm insect is only known to exist in about eight or 10 sites around England.

Museum scientist Dr John Tweddle said: "To find a new population is great news. I think it's a great example of the more you look, the more you find."

The metallic green and scarlet insect had been fairly common until the 1930s.

The museum is using the discovery to urge people to take part in a nationwide insect survey called Bugs Count.