Jewel of York

The ‘Jewel of York’ tells the story of the tansy beetle. Once thought extinct due to the reduction in suitable wetland habitat and food plants, one of the last remaining UK populations was discovered on the River Ouse in York.  The beetles wing cases have a striking appearance of iridescent green and copper, and legend tells us the Victorians used them as sequins. Now an endangered species, research is underway to help with the conservation of this unique insect.