The Streaked Bombardier Beetle has a metallic blue-green wing case with a distinctive red line along its back. If threatened by other insects or predators it can fire a ‘bomb’ of boiling chemicals at its attackers.

The beetle is so rare in the UK it was thought to be extinct here for more than 75 years. However, in 2012 a colony was discovered close to London City Airport. They probably felt at home here because of the area’s estuarine character and the relatively warm, dry conditions.

Charity Buglife worked with the University of East London to create a protected habitat for the beetles and this is currently the only known intact colony of the species in the UK.