‘Musical insect' extinct in the UK for over 30 years to be brought back from France

A species of musical insect extinct in the UK has been reintroduced to the country from France, conservationists have said.
The Species Recovery Trust released 11 New Forest cicadas this week into a habitat at Paultons Park, near the Hampshire woods where they previously lived.
The New Forest cicada, or Cicadetta montana, used to be found across the New Forest, but the last confirmed sightings were in the 1990s.
Conservationists believe changes to land management led to their extinction in the UK.
Charlotte Carne, Species Recovery Trust project officer, said: "This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time."
'It's like bringing them back from the dead.'
The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller.
The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday.
It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings.
Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful.
If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest.
In the meantime, the team said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park.
They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour.
Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director, said: 'We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place.
'What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.'
The first-of-its-kind project has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust.
Graham Horton, acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, said: 'This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible.
'After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Telegraph

33 minutes ago

• Telegraph

Exploding cars and power cuts: how heatwaves will trigger ‘net zero meltdown'

Net zero technologies will backfire during heatwaves, Ed Miliband has been warned. Heat pumps, electric cars and solar panels are among the various decarbonisation initiatives being pushed by the Energy Secretary to help the UK reach net zero by 2050. But these technologies are at risk of breaking down, exploding and causing power cuts, and may need to be turned off in hot weather, experts have warned. A report commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero warned that much of the energy grid and infrastructure was at risk from warm weather over 27C (81F). Britain is set to have its first heatwave of 2025 this weekend, with health officials warning of a risk to life from temperatures of more than 30C. The report offers multiple warnings about the fallibility of net zero technologies in such temperatures. Solar panels In temperatures above 25C, solar panels become less effective by up to 0.5 per cent for every degree, the report warns. Heat also can speed up degradation of the panels themselves. Scientists say they are safe in weather up to 50C but they become significantly less efficient on days where the sun is at its most powerful. Two measures to address the solar panel shortcomings include creating 'oversized' products that are better able to handle heat, but need even more space. Simply turning the solar panels off in heatwaves is another way to prevent them being damaged in the long term by exposure to high temperatures. Curtailing solar energy production in the event of extreme heat would allow 'renewable energy supply to remain operational following extreme heat events', the report authors say. The technical shortcomings of solar panels have been well documented, but Mr Miliband has repeatedly pushed ahead with expanding solar energy production. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is considering installing solar panel canopies over car parks and Mr Miliband recently stated his desire for every new-build home to come with solar panels as standard. Heat pumps Newly built homes will all come with heat pumps as standard by 2027 under expected new regulations, but this technology is not without its own issues. Heat pumps broadly work by drawing in heat from the outside – the air, water or ground – and transferring it into the home. Unlike conventional boilers, heat pumps are able to cool a home, as well as to heat it. This will lead to greater electricity usage in future summers than in the past. Currently, only one in 20 homes have air conditioning but with the Government pushing heat pumps as an eco-friendly alternative to boilers this is expected to rise. The report states: 'Significant growth is expected in domestic cooling demand, driven by rising temperatures and increasing adoption of heat pumps for heating and cooling as part of the UK's decarbonisation strategy.' A 2021 government study found that the peak energy demand for cooling could increase from 12GW to 19GW by 2100. This is likely to be in the evening. However, this spike comes after the peak of solar power generation and there could also be insufficient energy production to meet the demand for cool air. The issue is worsened during heatwaves because solar panels perform suboptimally and may be switched off. In 2022, when the UK breached 40C for the first time in recorded history, the UK was close to having insufficient electricity to meet demand as a result of decreased output and efficiency. The study authors warn that the combination of heat-inhibited energy generation, high demand for cooling and peak usage in the evening could lead to load shedding and rolling power cuts. The report authors write: 'The increased loading on electricity networks caused by active cooling may coincide with the periods of direct heat impact on the energy system. 'These factors may compound to increase the likelihood of electricity shortfalls and load shedding.' The last Conservative government declared that 600,000 heat pumps would be installed annually in British homes from 2028. But Labour has refused to commit itself to this pledge, first announced by Boris Johnson in 2020, and reports suggest the target is to be scrapped. Electric cars Another net zero goal that Mr Miliband had to relax was the Tory plan to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel cars by 2030. This is still in place, but hybrid vehicles can now be sold until 2035. Electric vehicle batteries struggle in hot weather and pose efficiency concerns, as well as safety woes. Lithium-ion batteries degrade quicker and break down sooner in temperatures above 35C. This level of heat can also lead to slower charging times, inhibited power output, and 'irreversible damage to the batteries', the report states. As well as subprime performance, the heat can also cause the batteries in electric vehicles to catch fire and blow up, the report warns. 'Prolonged operation under high temperature can overwhelm [battery energy storage] cooling systems posing safety risks such as thermal runaway and explosions,' the document says. 'Prolonged exposure and operation under extreme heat are expected to pose a significant challenge to their optimum and safe operation.' Nuclear power The Government is pushing ahead with its switch from greenhouse-gas-emitting power generation such as coal, oil and gas to renewables, which includes nuclear. The National Energy System Operator quango that manages the network is looking to go without gas at some point this year. It is hoped that 95 per cent of energy is from renewables by 2030. Nuclear is considered to be key in allowing for this transition to occur and Mr Miliband has announced several billion pounds of extra funding for Sizewell C, and Rolls-Royce is now approved to begin manufacturing football-field-sized SMR reactors. But the extreme heat report found nuclear power plants are also potentially vulnerable to hot weather and may have to be taken offline for safety reasons. Extended hot weather accelerates degradation of the sites, the report warns, as well as making the water needed to cool the reactors less readily available. The electricity output of nuclear power plants decreases by up to 0.5 per cent for every 1C increase in ambient air temperature and the reactors are slower to cool down. Extreme heat also makes nuclear power plants less efficient. 'Extreme heat may therefore force nuclear plants to reduce operations or shut down, straining the electrical grid during periods of high electricity demand,' the report states. A government spokesman said: 'The best way to tackle extreme weather is to tackle the climate crisis. 'Our robust electricity system is already set up to cope with extreme scenarios. We will continue working with our partners to ensure future energy infrastructure is resilient to all hazards, including extreme heat, securing the safe, secure and resilient supply of electricity as we move to clean power.' 'Lacks real-world perspective' Michael Kelly, Prince Philip professor of technology at the University of Cambridge, said the report is missing key information from hotter climates. He said the real-world examples of Arizona and Riyadh show grids are more robust than believed. 'While they say things that are right, it is a bit over-alarming in the sense that people with enough notice would make the changes necessary,' Prof Kelly added. 'What they have done is just take models and data for the UK. 'They are right as far as it goes – but to the extent that it is used to spread doom and gloom, I would say they are probably overstating their case because they have not compared it. 'It is lacking any validation from a real-world perspective.' Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said: 'Another government report highlights yet more risk of net zero. 'Solar panels and heat pumps may not work in heatwaves, exposing us all to risk of blackouts and major disruption. 'This will require ever more back-up systems, thus ever more extra cost. This means net zero bills will go up not down.'

Daily Mail​

40 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

Can't sleep in the heat? Scientists reveal simple sock hack that's guaranteed to help you doze off

With the UK in the grips of 2025's first heatwave, many of us will be struggling to doze off amid the tropical heat. If you can't sleep in the heat, scientists may have a counterintuitive solution. Although it might seem bizarre, putting on a pair of socks before you head to bed could be the key to drifting off peacefully. Studies have shown that this simple hack can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and get a better night of rest. Wearing socks has even been proven to be effective at bedroom temperatures up to 23°C - hotter than nighttime temperatures in many places across the country this weekend. This strange trick works because our bodies' sleep and temperature regulation systems are deeply linked. Professor Eus van Someren, head of the Department of Sleep and Cognition at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, told MailOnline: 'The brain not only regulates body temperature, but also reads out skin temperature. 'It may interpret warm feet as the right moment to fall asleep.' Why should you wear socks to bed? Our core body temperature has a day-night rhythm, starting to drop in the evening to reach its lowest point around four in the morning. That means the best time to sleep is when the core body temperature is on its way down. Normally, your body would cool itself close to bedtime by sending blood to the skin in a process called distal vasodilation, which makes the skin hot. Professor van Someren says this is like 'opening the radiator in the heating system in your home.' When you put on socks, this increases the temperature of your skin and creates signals that your brain mistakes for the warming caused by vasodilation. Your brain will then believe that it is time to fall asleep, and you will find it easier to drift off. But wearing socks also helps you get to sleep in a more counterintuitive way. When our skin becomes hot, the brain's temperature control system sends a signal to the body telling it to start venting heat by sending hot blood into veins near the surface. This causes an increase in vasodilation, sending blood rushing to the skin and dropping the core body temperature down to safe levels. Dr Michael Gradisar, head of sleep science and clinical psychologist and Sleep Cycle, says that wearing socks can trick the body into triggering vasodilation. This, in turn, causes the core body temperature to drop and helps you drift off to sleep. Dr Gradisar says: 'For people who need extra help warming their feet to assist their natural thermoregulation, socks can be helpful.' That might be especially useful if you suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, poor circulation, or other conditions that interfere with blood flow to the extremities. A study published in 2018 by researchers from Seoul National University found that wearing bed socks significantly improved sleep even when the room was a toasty 23°C. Those who wore socks to bed fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster on average and woke up more than seven times less frequently during the night. How can you get the most out of this trick? To make this trick work for you, it's important that you maximise the amount your core body temperature falls before bed. Studies of skin heating techniques show that the best results were achieved when the feet were warmed about one hour before bedtime. That means you should put on socks before you get into bed to trigger the core cooling process early. Wearing the right material can also make a big difference, as you don't want anything that will trap too much heat or moisture. Dr Gradisar says that 'natural fibres like wool help' since these offer the best balance of breathability and warmth. Likewise, a study of sleepers conducted at 30°C and relative humidity of 50 per cent found that those wearing Merino wool sleepwear got a better night's rest than those wearing cotton. Additionally, if you can find a way of cooling down your body while your feet stay hot, that will ensure the best temperature gradient for sleep. Dr Gradisar recommends using a fan or other means to try and keep the bedroom as cool as possible. However, with temperatures over 30°C forecast this weekend, it is also important to avoid making your feet too hot during the night. Professor Bill Wisden, an expert on the neuroscience of sleep from Imperial College London, told MailOnline: 'Heat is like any intrusive stimulus such as pain, or noise or vibration. It wakes you up. 'Even if the socks help you go to sleep, having hot feet in summer will wake you up!' So, if you do find yourself getting too hot as you doze, simply kick the socks off before falling asleep. The increased vasodilation will linger for a while afterwards, and exposing your feet to the air could produce an even greater drop in core temperature, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night. What if you find socks uncomfortable? Many people may find the idea of wearing socks to bed an extremely unpleasant thought. Luckily, if you are one of those people who like to let their feet breathe, there is another way to get the same effects. Anything you can do to raise the temperature of your skin before getting ready for bed will trigger the same vasodilation effects as putting on a pair of socks. Professor Wisden says: 'I recommend just before bedtime, take a hot shower or warm bath, even on a warm evening. 'At the end of the day, this raises the probability that you will drift off to sleep.' You don't even need to have a full bath or shower if that seems like too much effort. Studies have shown that simply bathing the feet up to the ankle in 40°C water for about 20 minutes, one to two hours before bed, helps people fall asleep about 10 minutes faster on average. So, although it might sound odd, if you want to beat the heat this weekend, the best thing to do is to get as hot as possible before bed.

The Independent

3 hours ago

• The Independent

Charles pays tribute to ‘resilience' of Antarctic research scientists

The King has recorded a personal message for Antarctic researchers as the southern hemisphere marks the shortest day of the year. While the UK enjoys its longest day of sunlight on Saturday, British scientists at the South Pole experience 24 hours of darkness. In a morale-raising message recorded for the BBC's midwinter broadcast, Charles praised the researchers' 'critically important' work as well as their 'resilience and commitment' to their jobs. 'Each observation, measurement and calculation you undertake adds to the world's understanding of the Earth's fragile systems,' he said. 'With the sun shying away from your horizon today, I particularly wanted to send my warmest good wishes.' Charles said the research stations highlight the 'role humanity plays, as we struggle to live in harmony with nature'. It comes a month after the King, a longtime environmental advocate, urged people to help save the planet during a charity fundraiser, telling the crowd: 'Collaboration is far better than conflict.' He said the charity's work comes at a time when efforts are under way to 'develop an even greater ability to manage the human and animal conflict'. Charles said: 'If we're going to rescue this poor planet (from) continuing degradation, and restore some degree of harmony to the proceedings, we must also understand that whatever we take and exploit from nature, we need to give something back in return to enable nature to sustain us.' The BBC's midwinter broadcast coincides with sweltering weather back on British soil, as the UK prepares for thunderstorms which are set to mix with continued high temperatures on Saturday – with up to 34C possible in some areas. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning covering all of northern England, from Nottingham up to above Newcastle, will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned the most intense storms could produce 'frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds', along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could also see temperatures peak high enough to eclipse the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far.