Billions of beetles blanket the coastlines of Scotland

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Billions of dead beetles have washed ashore along the Scottish coast, suggesting a rapidly growing beetle population that could negatively impact the local environment.

The Scottish region of Caithness is well-known for its beautiful purple moorlands. This vibrant color comes from the heather plants that thrive there, but these plants are currently threatened by a large population of heather beetles.

The large number of beetles in the county first came to attention when a volunteer cleaning Sandside beach found a dense layer along the shore. Initially thinking it was shredded seaweed, they quickly realized it was actually a solid line of beetles stretching across the entire beach.

The beetles could strip the land of its purple color

The beach is covered in beetles because their numbers have exploded recently. Scientists believe this increase might be linked to climate change.

When these insects reproduce rapidly, their young can eat all the leaves off the heather, turning the vibrant purple moorland pale and bare.

Catherine MacLeod, who manages the Thrumster Estate near Wick, explains that this happens because the caterpillars inject a special enzyme into the heather. This enzyme allows them to eat the plant, but unfortunately, it also kills it.

Once the heather dries out, it turns a reddish-brown color and becomes more likely to contribute to the spread of wildfires.

These beetles might also spread to nearby locations. Large groups of them have already been seen in Thurso, Wick, and even further inland in places like Helmsdale and Watten.

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2026-05-03 19:18