A RARE creepy-crawly unearthed by a 10-year-old girl has become the first of its kind in 60 years to be added to one of Oxford’s most popular museums.

The beetle was found by Sarah Thomas in the grounds of her school and is the first of its kind to enter the insect collections at Oxford University Museum of Natural History since the 1950s.

The discovery, made during a class activity at Abbey Woods Academy in Berinsfield, measures just 5mm across and had to be viewed with a microscope.

It was identified by professional entomologist Darren Mann, director of the museum’s life collections department, as a ‘false darkling’ beetle.

Given its tiny size and the rarity outside of forest habitats, Sarah’s find is all the more impressive.

However, she was only able to make her discovery thanks to the museum’s Project Insect scheme, which aims to interest state primary school pupils in entomology and natural history.

A specialist working for the programme had been teaching Sarah’s class about insect anatomy and classification, before the children were sent to roam the grounds in search of specimens.

It was during this hunt that Sarah came across the beetle, prior to being approached by collectors from the prestigious university’s museum.

She said: “Before Project Insect I didn’t really like insects, but now I really do.”

Her finding was praised by other Project Insect team members Rodger Caseby - formerly vice principal at St Gregory the Great Catholic School - and Fran Long, who described Sarah’s accomplishment as ‘fantastic’.

The episode has inspired hope in the pair regarding the effectiveness of the programme and its ability to enthuse youngsters about insect collection.

Ms Long said: “We’re delighted that Project Insect has already had this kind of impact.

“We hope that the pupils we’ve met will continue to collect insects and spread the word about how important they are budding young entomologists are being created.”

Project leaders will run a free insect summer school for budding entomologists.

It is open to youngsters aged 10 to 14 and runs from August 13 until August 17.

Participants will get to meet an entomologist, photograph insects with an expert, tour the museum and collect their own specimens.

For more details, email education@oum.ox.ac.uk.