A rare beetle species, the great silver water beetle, has been found in Dorset for the first time in over 200 years.

Bournemouth University student Wren Franklin discovered two specimens while surveying Blackmore Vale for his master’s degree.

The county beetle recorder confirmed the last sighting was in 1821 by renowned entomologist JC Dale.

The great silver water beetle, the UK’s heaviest, is a gentle scavenger that feeds on plant material.

“It was a really exciting discovery. As soon as I found them, I knew I’d come across something special,” Mr Franklin said.

“Great silver water beetles are often found in the Somerset Levels, so this begs the question: have they been hiding undetected in the Blackmore Vale for two centuries or have they recolonised recently whilst looking for new habitats?

“We’ll never know, but it is great to find them using newly-created wetland habitat.”

Adapted to aquatic life, it spends most of its time in water and reed beds but can fly between habitats.

Franklin emphasised the importance of monitoring wildlife amid increasing threats to biodiversity from human activity.

His discovery highlights the value of preserving and studying natural habitats to better understand and protect vulnerable species.

“People know about the threats faced by big animals in other parts of the world, but there are also loads of fascinating species in our own neighbourhoods which are equally imperilled,” he said.