Conservationists have reported that a “nationally scarce” species of bee has been found in Newport, South Wales, for the first time.
Buglife Cymru said it discovered a “strong population” of small scabious mining bees at St Julian’s Park local nature reserve last week.
The BBC reported that this was first time the species had been found in the city or the surrounding area.
Liam Olds, Buglife Cymru’s conservation officer, said: “To discover a new population of this rare bee in Newport is very exciting.”
Mr Olds said the species had experienced a severe decline in recent times as a result of habitat loss.
He added that the species have a “widespread but patchy distribution” across Wales, particularly on the Castlemartin and Gower peninsulas on the south coast.
The discovery in Newport was made by Buglife’s Searching for Scabious project, set up to help halt the decline.