HUNDREDS of rare beetles have been spotted in York as part of a survey into the species.

Record numbers of the endangered tansy beetle – 521 – were recorded on the pond banks at Rawcliffe Meadows Nature Park, and on the verges of New Meadow (52). A total of 178 beetle species was recorded, about 13 per cent of Britain’s beetles.

Doctor Mick Phythian, of the York Natural Environment Trust, said: “To most people, wild flowers and birds are probably the most obvious wildlife at Rawcliffe Meadows but a great multitude of other species make the Meadows their home.

“Hundreds of different types of invertebrates inhabit the grassland, hedgerows and ponds. Surveys of these ‘mini beasts’ can provide us with valuable insights into the biodiversity of the site and guide the way we manage it.”

The survey was taken by Martin Hammond and Bob Marsh this September and focused on under-recorded parts of the site.

Dr Phythian said the results showed the endangered Tansy Beetle was “benefiting from careful management of their habitats”, as no tansy beetles were found at New Meadow in 2010 or 2011.

Friends of Rawcliffe Meadows (FoRM) are in the process of creating new tansy patches to increase the population, and fencing has been put up to control grazing at the site.

Dr Phythian said the survey had also found other species which were considered threatened or close to threatened, including the diving beetle and mining bees, which showed the nature park was working well after just a few years.

He said: “The Necklace Ground Beetle (Carabus monilis) was an important new discovery as this is another threatened species.

“It is an inch-long bronzy-coloured predator which is believed to be the most rapidly declining British ground beetle.

A small population was found in the Copse Meadow, where species-rich grassland was re-established in 2008.”