News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

Young Rare Beetles Found in Wales

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

People looking for a rare beetle have found its young in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The animals are called short-necked oil beetles.

Earlier searches in 2022 and 2025 found only dead adult beetles at the site. The young beetles found in 2026 are a sign that the insects are breeding there.

The young climb onto flowers and hold on to visiting bees. The bees carry them to their nests, where they feed on pollen. Natural Resources Wales announced the find on October 28.

Source: Natural Resources Wales, 2026-10-28. https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/news-and-blogs/news/patience-pays-off-for-rare-species-in-pembrokeshire/?lang=en

Read and practise

1. Where were the young beetles found?

   1. Carmarthenshire, Wales
   2. Devon, England
   3. Pembrokeshire, Wales

2. What did the earlier searches find at the site?

   1. Living adults and young beetles
   2. Only dead adult beetles
   3. Only young beetles

3. How do the young beetles reach the bees’ nests?

   1. They hold on to visiting bees.
   2. They fly there on their own.
   3. They are carried there by adult beetles.

Your turn

What did the earlier searches find, and what do the young beetles found in 2026 suggest?

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/rare-short-necked-oil-beetle-larvae-wales-pembrokeshire-2026/level-1/