Conservation
Ancient woodland breeding habitat of Limoniscus violaceus, Windsor Forest
Limoniscus violaceus is a rarity throughout its range - it is a European Red List endangered species with protection under the EU Habitats and Species Directive, 1992.
It is one of the rarest and most threatened beetles in the British Isles, and one of a very few that is completely protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (schedule 5).
It is also a Biodiversity Action Plan species. Considerable efforts are being made to conserve British populations, including creating artificial breeding sites made out of hollow tree trunks or concrete pipes.
