A rare, occasionally cannibalistic, species of beetle has been discovered in Abbey Wood.
Staff at Thames Water’s Crossness nature reserve in Belvedere Road stumbled upon the great silver water beetle, which is normally found in the west country.
The insect is the largest species of aquatic beetle in the UK, measures up to 65mm in length and gets its name from the silvery colour created by bubbles which erupt on its underside when it swims.
The adult bugs feed on decaying aquatic vegetation, while the young larvae begin life as carnivores, eating aquatic snails and tadpoles and occasionally turning on each other.
They are most commonly found on the Somerset Levels and have also been discovered in other parts of the UK but not in south east London until now.
Crossness nature reserve manager Karen Sutton said: “This is an exciting time for us as the discovery of any new species at the site is a good indicator of what a diverse habitat we have here.
“For a reserve in the boundaries of one of London’s biggest sewage works it’s remarkable and shows what great work is being done to take care of the watercourses in the area.
“We hope this will be the first of many great silver water beetles coming to live here.”
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