A CREEPY-CRAWLEY, previously thought to be extinct, has been discovered in Swanscombe and Craylands Gorge.

The Land Bug, known to insect experts as Stictopleurus abutilon (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae) was declared extinct nine years ago but was one of the 238 species of bugs discovered to live in the area in a four-month survey completed last month.

The survey, carried out by the Kent Wildlife Trust, in Swanscombe Heritage Park and the Craylands Gorge, revealed more than a third of the species listed were rare.

It is part of a wider environmental assessment of the area which will help direct management of the environmental, recreational and heritage of the land.

Conservation officer Simon Geikie, of environmental charity Groundwork, said: "This is a spectacular discovery. We knew the area was home to important wildlife but had no idea some would prove to be so rare."

Field surveyor Laurence Clemons, who led the survey, said: "In nine years of surveying for Kent Wildlife Trust, I cannot recall recording such a magnificent assemblage of rare and local species in one spot."

Valuable information was collected on how the insects live and breed in the area to learn what natural surroundings are necessary for their survival.

Ecologists have learnt the open grassland, woodland, scrub and flowering plants are ideal for the bugs but Mr Geikie warned it would be necessary to create more disturbed sandy soil areas for nesting.

The heritage park is a site of special scientific interest and the gorge is also a nature reserve, meaning the area should be free from any developments which could threaten the environment there.

A Groundwork spokesman said, while none of the insects were dangerous to human beings, they fed by injecting salivary juices into their prey. The juices then attack their victims' internal organs.

The area is otherwise nationally famous for the Swanscombe Man, the oldest human fossil believed to be about 250,000 years old and which was discovered 66 years ago.

December 4, 2001 11:49

Lucy Brinicombe