Search launched for rare beetle

The beetle's grubs are found in decaying fruit trees in old orchards.

Residents in the two counties are being asked to keep a look out for one of the rarest insects in the UK.

The Noble Chafer beetle is mainly found in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

A trust which aims to protect the green beetles says they are found in orchards which are being destroyed in greater numbers for being "uneconomical".

The trust is urging people in the two counties to join its campaign to help save the "vulnerable" insects.

'Grubbed up'

The People's Trust for Endangered Species is offering people special packs so they can record sightings of the beetles.

"If we can find out where they are we can work towards conserving their habitat to ensure they don't become extinct," a trust spokeswoman said.

"As old orchards have become progressively more and more uneconomic they've been grubbed up to make way for more productive use of the land.

"Noble chafers are one of the casualties of this process."

The beetle's grubs are found in decaying fruit trees in old orchards.