Spring has arrived and the search for Scotland’s elusive oil beetles is on! Conservation charity, Buglife Scotland, is calling for public help to find these fascinating creatures.
Since launching in 2023, Buglife’s Scottish Oil Beetle Hunt has gathered over 300 records, with more than 100 coming through the Species on the Edge partnership programme, leading to exciting new Scottish oil beetle discoveries.
Sally Morris, Buglife Species on the Edge Conservation Officer, told us: “New sites for oil beetles are found every year, and every record helps us better understand these amazing beetles.
“Have you spotted a shiny black beetle that might be an oil beetle? Send us a photo and help us learn more about these charismatic beetles in Scotland.”
What Makes Oil Beetles Special?
There are five species of oil beetle in the UK, but only three are found in Scotland, these are the Black Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), Violet Oil Beetle (Meloe violaceus) and Short-necked Oil Beetle (Meloe brevicollis). Their populations have declined due to habitat loss and wild bee declines, making public sightings crucial for conservation efforts.
These distinctive, charismatic beetles:
- exude a yellowish oil from their leg joints when threatened;
- appear to wear an “ill-fitting waistcoat” due to their short wing cases;
- have a remarkable life cycle tied to solitary bees—their larvae hitch rides on bees to access underground nests;
- can be spotted in wildflower grasslands, heathland, and coastal areas from March to June
The rarest of these threatened species is the Short-necked Oil Beetle, which has only been found at a handful of locations within Scotland – the Isles of Coll, Islay and Tiree (Inner Hebrides), as well as Uist and Barra (Outer Hebrides). This oil beetle is a focus species for the Species on the Edge programme, a partnership between NatureScot, Buglife and other wildlife charities. Through the work of Species on the Edge, Buglife hopes to improve the fortunes of this special beetle.
To date, the Species on the Edge programme has documented over 280 individual Short-necked Oil Beetles; with recent surveys revealing previously unknown populations on Tiree and across North and South Uist. It is hoped that with more eyes looking more populations will be discovered!
How You Can Help?
Taking part is easy, there is a guide to identifying oil beetles on Buglife’s website (buglife.org.uk). Then just keep your eyes peeled, watch where you step and submit sightings through the iRecord app with photos.
Additionally, you can share findings on social media using #OilBeetleHunt and Buglife is asking for volunteers to help search for Short-necked Oil Beetles in likely locations in the Hebrides from April to June; no experience is needed and full training and support are provided.
Records from Argyll, the Hebrides and coastal locations are especially valuable but anyone can join the hunt. If you spot an oil beetle, record your sighting to let Buglife know!
For more information and to learn more about upcoming training dates please visit buglife.org.uk/scottish-oil-beetle-hunt.
Photos: Short-necked Oil Beetle
Photo Credit: Peadar O’Connell
Photo Credit: Sally Morris