Woodland types and the butterflies and moths they support

The diverse climate and varied geology of Britain have combined to produce a wide range of woodland types, and all are capable of supporting at least some woodland Lepidoptera of concern.

While different botanical woodland Butterflies and moths of Butterflies and moths of types have their own butterfly and moth assemblages, for closed canopy woodland specific woodland types many threatened species it is the Some butterflies and moths will structural aspects of woodland that only be found in specific woodland determine whether their habitat is types, and their needs should be present. Many species will occur in David Green considered separately. For example, a range of different woodland types the White-letter Hairstreak and and there is often a considerable other elm-feeding species will, of overlap in the assemblages course, only occur in woodland associated with each. As a result, in types where elms form a part of identifying conservation priorities it the tree community. Other tree and is useful to consider Lepidoptera in shrub feeding species will similarly terms of their broad association with be restricted to those woodland either open habitats or with shaded communities supporting their closed canopy woodland. own respective foodplants. This is The Dark Crimson Underwing breeds on not a comprehensive guide and Butterflies and moths of open mature oak trees and spends much of its concentrates on the habitats and life in the canopy woodland types most important areas in woodland for the declining or more notable The declining species associated species and assemblages. A few with this habitat usually feed on Only a few butterflies in the UK are examples of particularly distinctive low-growing herbs or on the young associated with closed canopy or woodlands are given below. regrowth of trees and shrubs. These shaded woodland. They include open spaces can be such features the canopy feeding White-letter as coppice, clearfells, young Hairstreak and Purple Hairstreak. plantations, glades (both temporary In addition, the White Admiral and and semi-permanent), rides and Silver-washed Fritillary breed on Keith Tailby wood edges. The Lepidoptera will foodplants growing in shaded vary with geographical range and conditions. For all of these species, climatic factors, but the specific open areas are still important tree and shrub species present features in which to bask and find are often of very much secondary nectar. Closed canopy woodland is, importance compared to the habitat however, one of the most significant structure. Although this habitat habitats for many moths of concern, can potentially occur widely, the and both moth abundance and Lepidoptera associated with this species richness may be highest in type of woodland are amongst the sheltered woodland. A huge number most threatened. of species feed on the canopy of mature trees, whilst others require their foodplants to be growing in The Light Orange Underwing is associated shaded conditions or use foodplants with mature Aspen such as mosses or lichens which can only flourish in shade.

10 | Woodland management for butterflies and moths Lepidoptera of concern and their associated woodland types Chequered Skipper Dingy Skipper Grizzled Skipper Wood White Brown Hairstreak White-letter Hairstreak Black Hairstreak Duke of Burgundy White Admiral Purple Emperor Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Pearl-bordered Fritillary High Brown Fritillary Silver-washed Fritillary Heath Fritillary UK BAP Priority moths Other moths of concern

Aspen woods • • • Dan Hoare

Lowland • • • • • • • • beech and ash woodland Lowland acidic • • • • • • • • • • beech and oak woodland Lowland beech • • • • • • • • and yew

Lowland mixed • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • broadleaved woods Lowland broadleaved woodland with an Lowland • • • • • • • • • • • active coppice cycle wood-pasture and parkland Native pine forest • • • Dan Hoare

Upland ash • • • • • • • • • • woods

Upland birch • • • • • woods

Upland oak • • • • • • woodland

Wet woodland • • •

Ancient woodlands often contain banks Planted woodland • • • • • • • • • • and other important archaeological features that can also be of value as wildlife habitats

Woodland management for butterflies and moths | 11 Examples of distinctive woodlands

Bill Urwin Tom Prescott Kentish Glory by Robert Thompson Aspen woodlands The Lepidoptera of The Lepidoptera of Aspen is found throughout the UK upland birch woods native pine woodland and occurs widely in damp woods in south-eastern and central England. The value of birch for Lepidoptera Native pine woodlands of self- Aspen woodlands in Scotland are is often overlooked. Upland birch sown Scots Pine are relicts of the a true relict of the Boreal forest and woods support many scarce and ancient Caledonian Forest, which host a unique biodiversity. threatened moths including the UK formerly covered much of the BAP Priority species, the Argent & Scottish Highlands. In the past these Aspen is an important foodplant for Sable, which feeds on young birches, indigenous forests may have covered moths with nearly 50 associated the Cousin German and the bracket more than 1.5 million ha of Scotland, species. There are two UK BAP fungus feeding Nemapogon picarella. but today they occupy only around Priority moths that feed solely on Other scarce moths associated with 1% of this former range spread Aspen: Phyllonorycter sagitella this woodland type are the Kentish over 77 separate areas. The shrub and Sciota hostilis. Both are now Glory, Silvery Arches and Rannoch understorey, where browsing levels extremely scarce. A third UK BAP Sprawler, all of which feed on the are low, can be very rich and includes Priority moth, the Dark Bordered foliage of birch trees themselves. Common Juniper, Aspen, Holly and Beauty, uses Aspen at its few Archinemapogon yildizae is another Hazel. The field layer is characterised Scottish sites. Here, the larvae feed moth dependent on bracket fungus by acid tolerant plants like Bell on regenerating Aspen in open growing on old and dying trees. Heather, Bilberry and Crowberry. woodland clearings and edges These mature and overmature where short suckers are plentiful. birches can be vitally important. The Other scarce and threatened Welsh Clearwing moth, feeds in the Native pine woodlands support a moths feeding primarily on Aspen living trunks of birches but will only distinctive moth fauna with many include the nationally scarce Light use large trees. species not found elsewhere in the Orange Underwing and the micro- UK. The Pine Tree Lappet, only moths Ancylis laetana and Epinotia recently discovered as a breeding maculana. species, may be a long-overlooked In the last century, five moth species resident. However, many of the associated with Aspen became species of concern are associated not extinct in the UK: the micro-moths with the pines themselves but with the Gibberifera simplana, Gypsonoma scrub and field layer. These include nitidulana and Paraleucoptera the Kentish Glory, Rannoch Looper sinuella, the Lesser Belle and the and Chestnut-coloured Carpet. Clifden Nonpareil (although this moth may be in the process of recolonising this country).

12 | Woodland management for butterflies and moths Dan Hoare Alan Reid / Forestry Commission Sam Ellis Lowland broadleaved Planted woodlands Upland Ash woodlands Timber plantations can be valuable woodlands for Lepidoptera, particularly during The various types of lowland their establishment phase when they The upland Ash woodlands of the deciduous woodland are potentially can support a rich ground flora and Morecambe Bay limestone are very rich habitats for butterflies of provide habitat for threatened one the most important areas for concern. If actively managed to butterflies such as Grizzled Skipper butterflies in Britain. The open areas produce a diverse structure with a and Pearl-bordered Fritillary. in these woods support significant continuous supply of open areas However, as the crop grows the populations of several threatened then many of the rarer species ground flora is quickly shaded out butterflies, including Dingy Skipper, can potentially occur. In addition, and becomes unsuitable for these Duke of Burgundy, Grayling, High Silver-washed Fritillary and White species. Thicket-stage crops may Brown Fritillary, Northern Brown Admiral occur in the more shaded then be suitable for White Admiral Argus, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, parts of many woods. The unshaded and Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and or partly-shaded shrub layer can Long-term habitat is largely restricted White-letter Hairstreak. The large support Brown and Black Hairstreak to plantation edges, ride networks or populations of High Brown Fritillary if Blackthorn is present and Purple other open spaces. Fortunately, to here are now the last surviving Emperor if the wood contains facilitate access and timber extraction woodland colonies in Britain. These sallows. Woods in southern and an extensive network of rides is often woodlands are also home to at least south-east England have the greatest established at the time of planting. two UK BAP Priority moths; the diversity of species. Management of habitat alongside Barred Tooth-striped and Anania streams can be important for Small funebris. Many further rare moths These types of wood are one of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary if these areas such as Barred Carpet also occur. richest for moths, the oak dominated are left open, particularly in upland woods of southern and central areas. England being of particular value. The canopies of mature and veteran As non-native tree species have been oaks found in these woods support established through planting, many a large and diverse community of moths have colonised the UK, moths, including the UK BAP Priority apparently through natural species the Common Fan-foot, immigration. A range of species, Dark Crimson Underwing, Heart some with extremely restricted Moth, Light Crimson Underwing and distributions, can be associated with Olive Crescent. The larvae of Goat plantation trees including Feathered Moth feed inside the living trunk Beauty, Dusky Peacock, Cloaked and those of Aplota palpella upon Pug and Assara terebrella. Poplars in mosses growing on the bark. Open plantings in south-east England can spaces within these woods have the support Hornet Moth and Pale-lemon potential to support Anania funebris, Sallow. Drab Looper, Barred Tooth-striped, Where appropriate, replacing non- False Mocha and Sloe Carpet. Many native trees with native species can additional moths of conservation be highly beneficial for wildlife. concern can be found in these Benefits include increased availability woods including Great Oak Beauty, of foodplants for tree and shrub Scarce Merveille du Jour, The feeding Lepidoptera, and the process Triangle and White-line Snout. of replanting can provide

opportunities to improve structural diversity and connectivity.

Woodland management for butterflies and moths | 13