- We do not know for sure, but in the beetle world there is a market for selling and replacing insects, and this beetle is very beautiful. It is emerald green and 2 to 3 centimeters in size, says Helena Lager, coordinator of threatened species at the County Administrative Board in Kalmar.

60 hidden traps

In total, the county administrative inspectors found 60 traps in the area where the beetle is located. The traps consist of small buried plastic mugs filled with liquid that kills the beetle. The mugs have been filled with Glycol, detergent and T-liquor. A small stone tower has been built over the plastic cups to make the trap difficult to detect.

The traps are hidden under the small stone tower (left image), and therefore very difficult to see. Photo: Kalmar County Administrative Board

Population is at risk of being knocked out

Helena Lager takes the event very seriously, as the entire unique population of the Great Alvara is at risk of being knocked out.

- The beetle is threatened throughout Europe, and the finest population in Europe is in Öland, she tells SVT.

Not the first time

This is not the first time insect hunters have set traps on Öland. Previously, killing traps have been found in areas of Öland's unique bees.

- Then they were put in areas with a lot of threatened bees, and this can, as I said, eradicate entire populations, says Helena Lager.

1000 dead insects

In the traps 26 dead dead larva killers and about 1000 other dead insects have been found.

The County Administrative Board now invites anyone who sees something similar to a trap to immediately contact the County Administrative Board.