Noble Chafer picture by Harry Green from the Wildlife Trust/ Worcestershire Recorders

The Worcestershire Biological Records Centre are appealing for more records of the Noble Chafer. The larvae of this seldom-seen emerald green beetle live in mature fruit trees, particularly in Worcestershire, and we’d love to know how common they are in urban and suburban fruit trees, as well as traditional orchards. Someone from the WBRC will be at 3 of our Apple Pressing days, but we will have information about the beetle and what to look for at all of them.

The main method of identification is the presence of “frass” – essentially remains of decayed wood chewed by the larvae – which looks a bit like instant coffee granules! See this handy fact sheet for a guide.

If you think you’ve discovered some frass inside holes and crevices in your fruit trees, you can bring a sample to one of our events or send it to the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre for identification: WBRC, Lower Smite Farm, Smite Hill, Hindlip, Worcs, WR3 8SZ