Kohen Fitzsimmons, eight, had been pond-dipping with his Holy Trinity Primary School classmates at the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve when he went back for a second look. I’m really surprised.”The environmental conservation organisation said the water stick insect Ranatra linearis was first recorded in Wexford in the Republic of Ireland in 2016, by entomologist Brian Nelson. Now the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve is distinguished across the border as the first location in Northern Ireland to record its presence. The water stick inspect is described as resembling a praying mantis, and it is the largest water insect in Europe. “Although we will never know where this water stick insect came from, it’s possible that a warming climate is causing it to spread, as our closest records are in Offaly and Dublin.

Source: The Herald May 17, 2024 14:47 UTC