Boffins' beetle bombshell

It was believed to be extinct in the UK for 300 years but an eagle-eyed West Midlands businessman has startled insect experts after finding a Capricorn beetle.

John Hawkins found the insect while he was at work – and from his love of fishing in the outdoors knew instantly it was not native.

Mr Hawkins first thought the beetle, measuring about three centimetres long with lengthy antennae, was a white spotted sawyer beetle from Canada.

But on closer inspection it was found to be the very rare Capricorn beetle which is extinct in the UK and very rare in Europe. Mr Hawkins, of Lime Tree Walk, Stourport, found it at the industrial estate where he works in Ashchurch north of Tewkesbury last week and it believed it could have come across from Europe on pallets into the UK.

But while experts are delighted the beetle has been discovered they say there is no chance of it being able to breed as finding another of the same species is so difficult.

Emma Butt, from Stratford Butterfly Farm, said: "The beetle is extinct in this country so it is very likely it came over on a lorry. It is also very rare in Europe so it is is a big find. We are now keeping it here and it will be on display."