An extremely rare insect has been spotted for the first time in nearly two decades.

The Fen Mason Wasp, considered extinct in Britain until its rediscovery in 1986, has been recorded at Essex Wildlife Trust’s Howlands Marsh nature reserve in St Osyth—marking its first sighting in Essex in 17 years.

Harry Witts, ecologist at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "It is fantastic news that Essex supports a population of this incredibly rare wasp.