By Sophie, 03rd Aug 2023
We are ‘buzzing’ with this un-bee-lievable news from Bryngarw Park Volunteer Group!
Our meadows are now home to the Downland Villa bee-fly (Villa modesta), which in Wales is known only from Monmouthshire.
It was formerly a very rare species that was presumed extinct in Britain as recently as 2000 but was rediscovered in the Cotswolds.
It is now expanding northwards and westwards and arrived in Wales a year or two ago, Bryngarw now appears to be the most western-known location for it in Wales!
Their good finds didn’t stop there, they also found the European red-listed Flat-ridged Nomad bee (Nomada obtusifrons) alongside its host, the Small-flecked Mining bee (Andrena coitana).
We are so excited that our meadows and park are home to these special species, as well as at least three other nationally scarce bees: Cat’s-ear Mining Bee (Andrena humilis), Cat’s-ear Nomad Bee (Nomada integra) and Brown-banded Carder Bee (Bombus humilis).
Thank you to our hard-working rangers and volunteers for managing these grasslands to these rare species can thrive!
Let us know if you spot them while visiting us by tagging us on social media:
Facebook: @BryngarwCountryPark
Twitter: @BryngarwPark
Instagram: @BryngarwPark