#butterflyconservation — Public Fediverse posts

Hidden moth population found after 70 years

A hidden population of one of #England 's rarest #moths has been found at a site where it had not been seen for more than 70 years.

Evie Lake, 13 August 2026

"Head of conservation at #ButterflyConservation Dr Dave Wainwright has spent his career searching for the dark bordered beauty and said he felt an 'overwhelming feeling of relief' when they were found at #WallingtonEstate, in #Northumberland.

"For decades, the only site where the moth was found in England was at Strensall Common, in Yorkshire, but the population there has been in decline due to #ClimateChange and a wildfire.

"The discovery has given conservationists new hope for the species and opened up the possibilities of where more can be found.

"Once widespread across northern England and Scotland, habitat loss has caused significant decline in the #DarkBorderedBeautyMoth.

"The custard-and-chocolate-coloured moth was found at the National Trust site previously but had not been seen since 1952."

[...]

"The moth's caterpillars will only eat two plants - #aspen and #CreepingWillow - which makes it a challenge to conserve, according to #ButterflyConservation."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1712kz5qpgo

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/7lodA

#SolarPunkSunday #EndangeredSpecies #EndangeredMoths #UK #UKSpecies #Conservation #SpeciesConservation

On my walk #today I headed for a hedge-lined lane where I knew there would be sun-traps. I thought I might see the first #butterfly this year, drawn by the warmth. Sure enough! Pararge Aegeria - a Speckled Wood - flitting in and out of the hedge. I managed a hasty blurred shot of it when it landed briefly in the undergrowth.
#SpeckledWood #butterflies #SaveButterflies #ButterflyConservation #lepidoptery

I suspect this Small Tortoiseshell has been around the block quite a while. #today after days of wind and rain, it settled on a wall warmed by the sun, seeming not to have strength to take off while I moved in very close. The last survivor of Aglais urticae this season, I suspect
#InMyGarden #SmallTortoiseshell #butterflies #ButterfliesUK #butterflyConservation #ButterflyWatch #Lepidoptera #lepidoptery #AutumnVibes #Gaygardener

Few butterflies #InMyGarden this week - the changeable temperature & rain showers that the start of autumn has brought has meant just brief appearances from a few whites, and this bright Red Admiral taking advantage of a sunny spell to feed
#butterflies #butterfly #RedAdmiral #InMyGarden #GayGardener #GayGarden #today #Lepidoptera #lepidoptery #SaveButterflies #butterflyConservation

It’s been a wonderful couple of days butterfly spotting #InMyGarden with nine different species visiting us. Newest arrivals are Pararge Aegeria - Speckled Wood - flitting in and out of the shade. And my favourite Pyronia tithonus - the Gatekeeper - with its double eyespots patrolling the hedges in the firey heat of the summer. Pyrotechnic…
#GateKeeper #butterflies #SaveButterflies #ButterflyConservation #lepidoptery

I’d love to know for sure what this extraterrestrial-like creature is. I think it’s either a white ermine or satin moth, but better lepidopterists than me might correct me. I took the poorer photo looking at the moth’s face and comb-like antennae yesterday - a difficult angle as it was sitting on the garage door. I took the other photo earlier of another example, sitting on the floor.
#lepidoptery #moth #InMyGarden #lepidopterist #ButterflyConservation #MothsAndButterflies #GayGardener