Beetles

There are a remarkable 2,600 kinds of beetles in the New Forest National Park.

This includes a number of uncommon and special species, with some only found in the Forest.

Beetles are spread across all the area’s habitats, with some specialists living on heathlands, but many living in woodland. These are saproxylic species, those dependent on the fungal decay of dead woody tissues and in some cases, these rare species only occur in ancient woodlands.

The range of habitats is important for the beetles of the New Forest and the way we manage the land is important for beetles to thrive. Here we look at a few rare species that have a particular stronghold in the New Forest and some of the common species that you are most likely to see.