THE UK’S largest predatory insect, the hornet robberfly, has been discovered at East Soar.

The fly, which hasn’t been recorded on the site for more than 15 years, is nationally scarce and rapidly declining due to loss of habitat and a lack of grazing in coastal areas.

Rob Wolton, who made the discovery while surveying the area with the Devon Fly Group, explained: ‘We were both surprised and delighted to find this spectacular fly, which is Britain’s largest, on National Trust land near Bolt Head.

‘Completely harmless to people, the adults are fearsome predators of grasshoppers and large beetles.

‘Once fairly common across southern England, over recent decades its numbers have fallen dramatically, so it’s now a high ­conservation priority.

‘Its larvae feed on beetle grubs in cowpats on rough pastures, so light grazing with cattle is essential for the fly’s survival.

‘Equally important, the cattle mustn’t have been treated with wormers that render their dung sterile. I congratulate the National Trust for achieving these conditions.’

Emma Reece, area ranger with the National Trust, is really excited by the discovery.

‘The farm is in a stewardship agreement with Natural England,’ she said, ‘and a lot of work has been carried out by the trust and our tenants over the past four years to improve the condition of the coastal area for the ­benefit of a wide range of wildlife.

‘We’re really pleased to see discoveries like the hornet robberfly, which wouldn’t survive without the right ­grazing conditions.’