Glow-worms are introduced to dark skies reserve

The declining common glow-worm – a species of beetle – suffers in areas of light pollution. Ben Mitchell reports

- Ben Mitchell

A NATIONAL park which has some of the darkest skies in Europe has introduced glow-worms reared in the Westcountry to a new site in the hope that the males will be able see the “spectacular” night-time mating display of the females.

The location near Alton, Hampshire, has been chosen by the South Downs National Park with the aim of boosting the population of the species of beetle which is struggling across the UK because of habitat loss and light pollution.

The common glow-worm is classified as near threatened, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with five other species threatened with extinction across Europe.

A spokesman for the national park authority said that there were a handful of glow-worm sites across the park which stretches across Hampshire and Sussex and the new location was identified with the help of its rangers.