A Rare Beetle Returns to Wales
Aims
A new discovery in Pembrokeshire offers hope for a rare beetle and the coastal habitat it needs.
The lesson, stage by stage
- News10 min
In the news: The story
Read a 96-word news story: Tiny Beetle Offers a Big Sign of Hope
A rare short-necked oil beetle has been found at Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire. It had not been recorded in Wales for about 60 years, and experts say the area may now have a small breeding population. After a three-year survey, experts found young beetles called larvae. In the previous year, they had found only dead adults, so the new discovery gives fresh hope for the species. The beetle needs a special habitat with many flowers and thick plants for shelter. Conservation groups are working to protect this place and support conservation of the beetle and other wildlife.
- Vocabulary8 min
Vocabulary: Words in the news
7 items
- Discussion10 min
Discussion: Wildlife nearby
2 discussion questions
- What kinds of small animals or insects do you notice where you live?
- If you could improve one local place for wildlife, what would you change?
- Discussion10 min
Discussion: Your experiences with nature
2 discussion questions
- Have you ever taken part in a nature walk, wildlife count, or similar activity? What was it like?
- What do you enjoy most about spending time in places with lots of plants and flowers?
- Discussion10 min
Discussion: Protecting rare wildlife
2 discussion questions
- How much time and money should communities spend protecting a rare species?
- What could make it difficult for a wildlife project to keep going for several years?
Target vocabulary
In a Tuton account these words become your student's vocabulary deck, so they come back in practice between lessons.
- breeding
- producing young animals or plants
- survey
- a careful study of an area or group
- larvae
- young forms of insects before they become adults
- species
- a group of similar plants or animals
- habitat
- the natural place where an animal or plant lives
- shelter
- a safe place that gives protection from weather or danger
- conservation
- the protection of nature, animals, and plants
This plan comes from the Environment course in the Tuton library. Browse all free lesson plans.