Singing cicadas brought back to UK from France after disappearing in 1990s
Scientists at the Species Recovery Trust this week released 11 New Forest cicadas into a specially created habitat at Paultons Park – just outside the Hampshire woods where they once sang.
The New Forest cicada, Cicadetta montana, was once found across the New Forest but the last confirmed sightings were in the 1990s.
Conservationists believe the insects became extinct in the UK because of changes to the way land was managed.
Charlotte Carne, Species Recovery Trust project officer, said: 'This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time.
'It's like bringing them back from the dead.'
The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller.
The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday.
It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings.
Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful.
If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest.
In the meantime, the team said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park.
They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour.
Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director, said: 'We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place.
'What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.'
The first-of-its-kind project has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust.
Graham Horton, acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, said: 'This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible.
'After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Courier
11 hours ago
- The Courier
Fancy a cuppa? Dundee scientists need you to help probe tea health benefits
People have long used a good cup of tea to turn a bad day around. Now, researchers from Abertay University are exploring whether tea can be used to offset the health challenges faced by postmenopausal women. If proved that it can, the project may be a breakthrough for postmenopausal health – an area that is still understudied. Lead researcher Dr Sarah Cottin of Abertay University's Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences said: 'The symptoms of menopause are varied and impact life at many levels, including work and relationships. 'Many women are unaware that their symptoms may be related to menopause.' The university is working with women's health innovation company Oshun Labs on the project. Together, they are particularly interested in whether the English breakfast tea – which has been designed so it is rich in antioxidants – can impact the women's chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is deadly. It kills twice as many women as breast cancer and is especially prevalent in postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, oestrogen mitigates how much fat is deposited on artery walls. This reduces the risk of somebody developing atherosclerosis. Due to their naturally lower oestrogen levels, postmenopausal women are at a much greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is where the antioxidant-rich tea comes in. Antioxidants have previously been shown to help prevent cardiovascular disease, especially by slowing down the development of atherosclerosis. However, it remains to be seen whether the antioxidant rich tea is effective. 'More research is required to better understand the links between nutrition, menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular health, and the risk of potentially serious health conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, heart failure, stroke or heart attack,' Sarah said. 'We know the UK is a nation of tea drinkers so there is really positive potential for using a cuppa as the delivery vehicle for additional nutrients,' Sarah noted. People can be very particular about their tea. Because of this the team at Abertay University have ensured that, although they've packed as many antioxidants into the English breakfast tea as possible, they have not sacrificed its taste, colour or aroma. This should ensure that the tea is appealing as possible. The team are currently recruiting people for the study. If you are a non-smoker aged between 45-74 and have no problem with drinking a cup of tea every day for eight weeks, this might be the study for you. Participants will receive a lot of data about their health. They will also be compensated for their time. If taking part sounds like your cup of tea, you can learn more by visiting the project's website.
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
New Forest cicada being reintroduced in UK after extinction
The New Forest cicada (Cicadetta montana) was once found across the New Forest, but the last confirmed sightings were back in the 1990s. Conservationists believe the insects became extinct in the UK because of changes to the way land was managed. Native wild animals in the UK New Forest cicada reintroduced to the UK as scientists say "it's like bringing them back from the dead" Species Recovery Trust project officer, Charlotte Carne, said: 'This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time. 'It's like bringing them back from the dead.' The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday (June 11). It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings. Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful. If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest. Species Recovery Trust has said reintroducing the New Forest cicada to the UK is like "bringing them back from the dead". (Image: Pete Hughes/PA) In the meantime, Species Recovery Trust said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park. They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour. Species Recovery Trust director, Dominic Price, said: 'We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place. 'What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.' This project is the first of its kind and has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust. Acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, Graham Horton, added: 'This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible. 'After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.' What is a New Forest cicada? New Forest cicadas are described as "musical" insects and are known for their singing. Buglife explains: "New forest cicada males are known for their characteristic high pitched singing which they perform to woo females for mating. "The pitch of the Cicadas song is so high that it is at the limits of human hearing, and a struggle for most adults to hear." RECOMMENDED READING: The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller. Once New forest cicadas hatch, they are often found high up in trees out of sight, Buglife reports, making them "extremely difficult to find". "Singing is therefore one of the most effective methods of finding these elusive insects," the experts added.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- The Independent
Extinct insects return to UK: ‘Like bringing them back from the dead'
The New Forest cicada, a musical insect species extinct in the UK, has been reintroduced from France by the Species Recovery Trust. Eleven New Forest cicadas were released into a habitat at Paultons Park, near the New Forest, where they previously lived until the 1990s. Conservationists attribute the extinction to changes in land management and are hopeful that a warming climate will now favour their survival. Charlotte Carne from the Species Recovery Trust said it was 'amazing' to see the insects return to the UK: 'It's like bringing them back from the dead.' Some of the reintroduced cicadas are already laying eggs in their habitat, but the success of the project will not be known until at least 2029 due to the insect's long nymph stage.
