Buzz over rare insect

By County Press reporter

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Myrid Bug was discovered during the BioBlitz event in Firestone Copse.

AN insect never seen on the island before has been discovered in Firestone Copse, near Wootton.

The red and black Myrid Bug, also known as the Hallodapus Rufescens, is relatively rare in the rest of the UK.

It was discovered during an Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight bio-diversity partnership event called BioBlitz, in which 300 people took part.

Almost 450 different species were discovered but it took insect enthusiasts weeks to identify the creature and they had to enlist the help of the country’s top bug expert, Bernard Nau. A book dating from 1923 was eventually used to confirm the bug’s identity.

The Isle of Wight Council parks and countryside manager Matthew Chatfield said: "It was a real surprise to find it on the Island as it’s usually found on heaths."

Experts believe it may have been drawn by patches of heather on Firestone Copse.