The capricorn beetle, which is almost two inches long, was discovered in a container at Jual Domestics.

It was thought that the insects, which only have a short life span, had died out in Britain in the 18th century, until one was found in Gloucestershire last week.

Emily Knaggs, Jual Domestics’ company director, said she thought the beetle had been transported to the warehouse in a delivery.

She said: “It was a really bizarre-looking thing. Someone in the shop had read a story about one being found in Gloucester the day before so that’s how we knew what it was. We get a lot of deliveries from Gloucester so we think it has come from a container.

“The lads in the warehouse are trying to keep it as a pet but I’m not keen.”

The beetles, which usually live in France and on other parts of the continent, only eat fruit and tree sap but their large powerful jaws are capable of biting through wood and they can give a nasty nip.

Sean Green, a warehouse assistant who is now looking after the critter at Jual’s warehouse in Shafton, said: “We’ve got the beetle in a three-litre container and we’ve been feeding it fruit.

“I’ve had the beetle out on my hand and it hasn’t bit me.”