Concern for Scotland's rare bugs

Scotland's rare and unusual bug life. Picture by Roger Key In pictures

Some of Scotland's rarest insects are clinging to survival against the threats of pollution and climate change, conservationists have said.

Scottish wood ants and pine hoverfly are now only found in the Highlands.

The North February red stonefly, meanwhile, is restricted to upland streams in north and west Scotland.

Buglife's Craig Macadam said the stonefly - only found in Scotland and a river in Wales - was living at the very edge of its climatic range.

He added: "The stonefly could be at risk of water pollution, and climate change warming the water could end up pushing it further up hills."

The pine hoverfly, he said, was clinging to survival in areas of mature pine.

Insect strategy

Meanwhile, Mr Macadam said the "fate had been sealed" for the bog bush cricket.

Aucheninnes Moss in Dumfries and Galloway is the only site in Scotland known to support the invertebrate.

Planning permission for a landfill site extension on the moss was granted in 2003.

A strategy on how to better conserve Scotland's bugs and insects is to be discussed at a conference in Perthshire later this month.

Eighty-five people - including entomologists - are expected to attend.