A RARE beetle that has a stronghold on the banks of the river Ouse in York is being given a new home in Selby.

The endangered Tansy Beetle, which was once so common that the Victorians used them to decorate their clothes, is a beautiful green beetle that feeds exclusively on the Tansy plant.

Although the plant is quite common, the beetles are unable to fly making it difficult for them to colonise new areas and as a result they are now isolated in just a few small pockets – most notably at Clifton Ings and Rawcliffe Meadows in York which are prone to flooding, putting the insects at risk.

To preserve the species, about 50 captive-bred beetles have been given a new home on a patch of Tansy alongside Selby Canal by scientists from the University of York and ecologists from the Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for the nation’s waterways.

The new location won’t flood and will provide a safe place for the beetles to thrive.

Dr Geoff Oxford, from the University of York, said: “Although the total beetle population around York often numbers in the thousands, one major summer flood on the River Ouse could exterminate the lot.

"We are therefore extremely grateful to the Canal & River Trust for offering us this site on the Selby Canal in which to establish an ‘ark’ population of beetles which is safe from this threat.”

Phillippa Baron, ecologist for the Canal & River Trust said: “We’re delighted to help in the efforts to protect these beautiful little beetles. They’re like the giant panda of the beetle world so it’s important that people step in to give them a helping hand and try to establish a healthy, growing population.

“They’re such a gorgeous little beetle and it’s a real shame to see them under threat so hopefully this new population will be just the start in their recovery.”

The beetle hasn’t always been in such a perilous position, it was once more widespread and it’s believed that the glittering green wing cases were used as decorations in much the same way as sequins are used today.

Now, however, the beetle is endangered worldwide and, here in the UK, can only be found on a stretch of the Ouse as well as one other site in the Cambridgeshire Fens.