New UK record of insect species

The National Trust says the species appear to be widespread in Cornwall

An insect species normally found off the African coast has been spotted in the UK for the first time in Cornwall, conservationists have said.

The species of barkfly (Atlantopsocus adustus) is normally only found in Madeira and the Canary Islands.

The discovery was made at National Trust sites on the south Cornish coast.

A trust spokeswoman said the finds showed non-native species from warmer climes were now able to survive in the UK as a result of global warming.

The barkfly species was found during wildlife survey work at Lansallos, Bosigran, Godrevy, Chapel Porth and Treluggan.

The National Trust says the findings have shown the species appears to be widespread on these stretches of coast.

The trust says the species could have arrived on plants imported from Madeira or the Canary Islands by collectors or may have been blown into the Britain on southerly winds from the Atlantic.

A total of 99 species of barkfly have so far been recorded in Britain.

It lives on the bark of trees and shrubs where it eats lichens and algae.

Six new species to Britain were noted in the National Barkfly Recording Scheme in the last eight years.