A beetle species absent from Ireland for nearly a century has been found again at Benone Strand in the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, County Londonderry.

Mel McQuitty, a Northern Ireland beetle enthusiast, observed the Saprinus semistriatus, known as the carrion clown beetle, during a routine after-work survey there in 2024. The sighting marks the most recent record of the species in the UK and Ireland.

McQuitty discovered the beetle under a dead hedgehog in sand dune slacks. She described it as unique and noted its significance upon verification.

Experts at the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording verified the find. They worked with Helen James of National Museums NI and beetle expert Dr Roy Anderson to confirm the identification and review its history.

Dr Roy Anderson stated the beetle measures three or four millimetres long and lives on animal carcasses. He mentioned a similar species appears occasionally on Lough Neagh shores.

McQuitty has surveyed Benone Strand weekly from May to August for three years. CEDaR's Amy Laird said the organisation collects public records into a central database to support biodiversity efforts.

The earliest historic record of the species dates to 1894 in Portrush. McQuitty called for more government funding to promote citizen science.