Moths Count Ne wsl etter 2013 15 million moths and counting...

The National Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS) database continues to expand; since last year’s newsletter we have received an additional 1.3 million moth records taking the grand total to 15,532,135. Eighty-four vice-county (VC) datasets have been received over the past year, 25 of which are still to be imported into the database. Two important Brimstone Moth (H. McDonald) additions to the NMRS database were 6,473 records for the Isle of Rum and 23,967 additional records from NMRS data continue to be used by our conservation partners Cumbria and Westmorland, filling in significant previous via the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway. We are gaps in coverage. Once all of these datasets have been also collaborating with academic institutions following requests imported to the NMRS, the online species distribution maps for NMRS data to investigate land-use and species distribution (viewable at www.mothscount.org ) will be refreshed. change. The NMRS data were used as corroborative evidence to support moth population trends in The State of Britain’s There has been no change in the top three vice-counties; Larger Moths 2013 report which was published in February South Hampshire (853,836 records), Hertfordshire of this year, see page 04 for further details. (620,665 records) and Dorset (610,414 records) have the largest datasets. In the NMRS database as a whole Some preliminary analysis of the NMRS data has been 36% of records are historical (pre 2000), however, two-thirds happening ‘in-house’. A sub-set of data (46 VC datasets of vice-county datasets have a lower proportion of historical with comprehensive annual coverage) from the NMRS records than this and, more worryingly, seven VC datasets were compared to look at the mean number of records still do not contain any historical records at all. This is a per vice-county from 2000 to 2012 (figure 1). >> great shame as there can be no assessment of distribution

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The picture is similar for the Rothamsted light trap network r e v data. Once verified by CMRs, all these data will be extremely A 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 valuable at both VC and national level. We know that we have Year a relatively comprehensive dataset in the NMRS for 2000 Figure 1: Average number of records per vice-county in the NMRS onwards, so by 2020 we will have a 20 year data run that for the 46 vice-county datasets with comprehensive annual coverage. will lend itself more easily to data exploration and analysis. 02 Moths Count Newsle tter 2013

>> This shows a general increase in the number of records 10,000+ 5,001 to 10,000 over time, presumably due to factors such as improvements 1,001 to 5,000 in data flow and increasing numbers of people involved 501 to 1,000 301 to 500 in moth recording. The best years in terms of the average 101 to 300 number of records were 2006, 2010 and 20 11. The density 1 to 100 of records at 10km resolution for 20 11 can be seen right in figure 2. In 20 11, the top five most widespread moths at 10km resolution were; Large Yellow Underwing (58% of recorded squares); Dark Arches, (55% of recorded squares); Figure 2: Density of 2011 records per 10km Brimstone Moth (53% of recorded squares); Silver-ground in the NMRS database. Carpet (51% of recorded squares) and Flame Shoulder (50% of recorded squares).

Figure 3 shows the number of species recorded per VC and Northern Ireland to-date in the NMRS database. From the map it appears that some areas such as the East Midlands and Cornwall are less species rich than you would expect, however, this is an artefact of lack of data in the NMRS rather than moths.

Unsurprisingly, given the weather, the number of moth records per VC dipped last year and may fall further when the 2013 data are collated. Until the recent spell of hot sunny weather, moth abundance and species richness were considerably lower than in previous years across most of the UK. In addition to this species flight periods were delayed. Last year’s wet summer followed by the recent long cold > 99 101 to 200 winter and late spring, the coldest for 50 years, are likely 201 to 300 301 to 400 to be contributory factors. 401 to 500 501 to 600 601+ It will be very interesting to look at long term changes in distribution, abundance and species richness over time. However, in order to do this we need annual updates of vice-county datasets. It is clear from the coverage gaps in Figure 3: Number of species recorded figure 2 that not all VC datasets are up to date. As reported per VC and Northern previously, we encourage all CMRs to submit their datasets Ireland to-date in the NMRS database. to us by 31st March each year. It would be great to receive all moth data from the previous year to enable some simple analysis and provide feedback on the most recent recording season to the moth recording community in this annual newsletter, and to enable effective moth conservation at local and national levels.

The NMRS is not just about producing distribution maps; it is an amazing resource that has many potential applications. Many recorders note the abundance of all the moth species that they catch in their traps and many CMRs are keen to capture such information. At the simplest level, abundance information can provide important information for conservation by revealing the presence of breeding colonies of species, whereas a species record without abundance might just be a single vagrant individual. 03

So, in an ideal world, we would like to encourage everyone to record the numbers of moth species that they see and Moth Night 2013 CMRs to capture this level of information in their VC datasets. Moth Night 2013 will run from 8th -10th August, including However, we recognise that this is not always feasible both day time and nocturnal sightings. This year’s theme e.g. trapping at night with a lamp and sheet; or necessarily is ‘the tigers’, a group of large, colourful moths that are a priority for some moth recorders. In some cases it is not experiencing mixed fortunes in the UK. The Garden Tiger, practical to count every single Large Yellow Underwing, well known for its ‘woolly bear’ caterpillar is a severely so in instances such as these, perhaps an estimate of declining species; the day-flying Jersey Tiger, on the other abundance could be recorded. Just because a species hand, is expanding its range rapidly in London and southern is apparently common and widespread now doesn’t mean England. Both trends may be driven by climate change. that it will be in the future! The NMRS provides us all with The Ruby Tiger will also be on the wing across the UK an excellent opportunity to add value to the masses of moth during Moth Night. data that are recorded. Collecting abundance data over a long time period may enable us to determine population All three of these species are spectacularly beautiful and trends for moths as well as distribution patterns, and to will prove popular at public events, converting even the most assess whether populations are stable, increasing or ardent moth sceptic. To find details of events local to you decreasing at a national and regional scale. please visit the Moth Night website www.mothnight.info or if you are running an event please submit the details Many people do record species abundance already and to the website. such information is captured in the VC datasets and NMRS. For example, in the NMRS database there are 162,831 Moth Night is the annual records of Garden Carpet. Only 1,452 (0.9%) of these celebration of moths and records do not have a figure for abundance. Ninety-two moth recording run by percent (150,264) of Garden Carpet records are from sites Atropos and Butterfly which recorded Garden Carpet in more than one year. Conservation, in association There are 379 repeatedly trapped grid squares with detailed with the Centre for Ecology Garden Carpet records for nine or more years. We are & Hydrology. You don’t now undertaking statistical examination of how these data have to focus on the tiger compare with trends from more systematic recording moth theme; feel free to schemes such as the Rothamsted Insect Survey light-trap pursue your own target network. We will keep you posted on this and any other species or venture to interesting discoveries based on the NMRS dataset. different trapping sites. An aim of Moth Night is to raise awareness of moths and moth recording and, most importantly, to have fun! Please submit your results via the online system www.mothnight.info . Online data submission is the only way that we can sustain Moth Night as we do not have the resources to deal with the vast array of recording formats that were previously received. The online system works well and provides ‘live’ feedback to participants.

Are you missing out on E-moth? E-moth is an electronic newsletter from the Moths Count project. If you would like to receive it please contact Butterfly Conservation 01929 400209 or [email protected] with your email address. Garden Carpet (M. Parsons) 04 Moths Count Newsle tter 2013

The State of Britai n’s

Larger Mo ths 20 13 2000 onwards Pre-2000 On 1st February this year Butterfly Conservation and Rothamsted Research launched The State of Britain’s Larger Moths 20 13 report, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

NMRS provisional During the 20th century 62 species of moth (including micros) distribution map went extinct in Britain, since then it is thought that three for Pale Eggar. further species have followed (Brighton Wainscot, Bordered Gothic and Orange Upperwing), with concern mounting for a fourth (Stout Dart). However, 89 species (again including micros) colonised Britain during the 20th century and an amazing 27 additional species have colonised since 2000. Some of the colonisers have become widely established and are continuing to expand their range; examples include the Varied Coronet and Toadflax Brocade. Despite the net gain in moth species in Britain since the 20th century, all is not well.

Population trends for 337 common and widespread larger moths were generated from abundance data collected from 41 1 Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) light-traps over a period of 40 years (1968 - 2007). In addition to this, distribution data from the National Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS) was used as corroborative evidence to support RIS population trends.

The results from this study are alarming, the total abundance of larger moths decreased by 28% over the period 1968 - 2007. These losses were greater in southern Britain where there was a 40% decline in moth abundance. However, in northern Britain there was no net change in moth abundance.

Analysis of individual population trends for the 337 common and widespread moth species showed that two-thirds Pale Eggar (P. Harris) (227) of species decreased in abundance and 124 species (37% of the total) declined by more than 50%. It was not Population trends for species were calculated separately all bad news though, one-third (110) of species increased for northern Britain and southern Britain for the 40-year in abundance over the 40-year period. However, on the period. Of the 259 species included in the analysis for whole twice as many larger moths declined as increased northern Britain (traps situated to the north of the 4500 N in Britain over 40 years. V-moth is faring the worst, grid line, which equates approximately with the locations suffering a 99% decline in population since 1968. The of the cities of Lancaster and York), 138 species (53%) Pale Eggar has suffered a 90% decline in its population decreased and 120 species (46%) increased, one species across Britain (see map above right). was stable. Overall the median percentage change was - 11%.

However, some species that are showing declining trends The results for southern Britain were very different. across Britain are actually increasing in northern Britain. Trends were calculated for 308 species; 211 (69%) of these Clouded Silver, for example, shows an overall population decreased in abundance and 97 species (31%) increased. trend of -48% but populations in the north have increased For the 40-year period the median population change in by 243%. southern Britain was -43%. For species that occurred in both northern and southern Britain, their population trends were on average significantly worse in the south. 05

The report is not all bad news, one third of species increased in abundance during the 40-year study period; Day-flying moths some of these (16% of the total) more than doubled their on butte rfly transects population levels. In addition to increases in population size these species have also expanded their distributions, for example, Least Carpet, Dingy Footman, Vine’s Rustic and Marbled White Spot. The reasons for these increases are unknown however it is likely that climate change is a contributory factor.

The precise reasons for the decline of our common and widespread moths are poorly understood. Habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, agricultural intensification, urbanisation and changes in woodland management are all likely to be contributory factors. Other issues negatively effecting moth populations include nutrient enrichment, Speckled Yellow (P. Withers) climate change (e.g. Garden Tiger) and light pollution. There is a huge challenge to unpick the puzzle and The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS) team have isolate the key drivers of moth declines in order to halt recently extracted moth records entered into Transect Walker and reverse these trends. software. This interesting exercise has provided an overview of day-flying moth recording on butterfly transects. Ultimately it is not only moths that will suffer; moths are important prey items for other animals including bats, Data for 123 moth species, with 13,622 records (by individual birds, hedgehogs, spiders, frogs, toads, lizards and shrews. date at the site level) and 109,485 individuals counted from Declines in moths are likely to have negative effects on the 403 sites were revealed. The number of moth records captured creatures that consume them and other species higher up through Transect Walker has risen rapidly from less than 200 in the food chain. In addition to this moths are pollinators records in the year 2000 to almost 20,000 records in 20 11. of wild and cultivated plants. Moths have been likened to the ‘canary in the coal mine’ they are sensitive indicators of The five most frequently recorded species (in descending environmental change and it is likely that moth declines are rank order) are Silver Y, Six-spot Burnet, Cinnabar, the tip of the iceberg; devastating losses of our biodiversity Burnet Companion and Speckled Yellow. These species are likely to be occurring in the British countryside. are also the most abundant, with Six-spot Burnet in pole position with more than double the number counted than For more information and to download your copy any other moth. Over the last decade there appears to be of The State of Britain’s Larger Moths 2013 report visit sufficient data available to calculate collated indices and www.mothscount.org/article/56/33/state_of_britains_ a temporal trend for these day-flying species which would moth_2013_report_published.html be a valuable addition to the UKBMS.

Furthermore, there seems a lot of potential to improve monitoring coverage of day-flying species, including threatened species The Moth such as Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. There have been Challenge Fund a number of local initiatives in this respect (e.g. in Dorset), whilst moth recording is a feature of the Wider Countryside To date the Moth Challenge Fund, supported by the Butterfly Survey. These records will be made available to Patsy Wood Trust, has raised £6500 (including Gift Aid). County Moth Recorders in due course. We have received 120 donations with an average donation of £40 and the largest donation was £ 1000. For further information on counting moths on transects, Butterfly Conservations wishes to thank everyone including regional priorities contact who has supported this vitally important fund so far. [email protected] If you would like to make a donation to The Moth Challenge Fund please visit: Tom Brereton Head of Monitoring www.justgiving.com/moth-challenge-fund Ian Middlebrook Butterfly Monitoring Co-ordinator Kerry Chant Volunteer, Butterfly Conservation 06 Moths Count Newsle tter 2013

UK BAP moths Moths count on Butte rfl y newsletter Conse rvation rese rves The Priority Moths newsletter, which details the latest Many of our reserves have been acquired or established sightings of all UK BAP priority species during the flight to further the conservation of particular butterflies, but the season, is now available to download as a .pdf from high quality habitats involved also mean suitable conditions the Moths Count website via the following link for many moths, including very rare and interesting ones. www.mothscount.org/downloads/107/priority Their presence can help justify the setting up of a reserve _moth_newsletters.html and moths do count when it comes to deciding management objectives on our reserves. Please continue sending your sightings to Tony Davis or Mark Parsons as well as your County Moth Recorder. The moth fauna perspective of our reserves is still poorly understood yet full of significant conservation opportunities. Sites like Alners Gorse and Rough Bank with grassland and scrub cover of variable structure and composition can yield impressive figures from surveys.

The number of rare and notable moths being recorded from the new Rough Bank reserve by Guy Meredith of Gloucestershire Branch, is providing many considerations for cautious management. His first summer of recording in 2012 tallied 234 species, two-thirds were micros. These included 27 nationally rare and notable species with Trifurcula headleyell a and Coleophora niveicostella (both pRDB) being Forester (M . Parsons) respectively the first county record and first since 1916. The range of larval foodplants for this group reflect both the predominance of flowery limestone grassland already being maintained and its present structural range, and so far there Fourth National Moth shouldn’t be any major challenges in trying to cater for them. Recorders’ Meeting Recording rich and abundant moth faunas, and particularly Saturday 25th January 2014 is the date for next year’s with species of conservation importance, inevitably raises National Moth Recorders’ Meeting which will be held questions on how the management regimes of those reserves once again at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, affect them, especially when exact ecological needs are central Birmingham. Further details will be revealed in uncertain. Two of the main uncertainties are the sort of scrub due course. Please make a note in your diaries. cover to leave and how to graze and cut grasslands to maintain floristically rich sward conditions without impacting National Moth on species needing ‘neglected’ sward structures. Recorders’ Meeting 2013 It is pleasing to record strong numbers of Wood Tigers and regular sightings of Foresters on the long established The 3rd National Moth Recorders’ Meeting was held earlier Lankham Bottom reserve, likewise Chimney Sweepers at this year at the Birmingham and Midland Institute. Almost Mount Fancy Farm and Four-spotted on Broadcroft Quarry. 200 delegates attended, braving the snow and ice, and an But to feel confident that site management is sustaining excellent day was had by all. As always there was a broad them, more records and comprehensive monitoring of range of talks ranging from ‘grass roots’ moth recording their habitat use is needed. and conservation; studies and observations of Ghost Moth and swift moth breeding behaviour; citizen science; survey John Davis Head of Reserves, Butterfly Conservation and monitoring of the Pine-tree Lappet in Scotland and the response of burnet moths to climate change and land use change. Many thanks to the speakers and moth recording community for contributing to another successful meeting. 07

Moth recording in the Scottish Borders Over the past 150 years, moth recording in the sparsely populated Scottish Borders (Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire, Roxburghshire and Berwickshire) has been maintained by a very few determined and talented enthusiasts. However, there are periods, even in the latter part of the last century, for which we have hardly any records. A great pleasure of recent years has been the arrival of some new recruits, although the number of Feathered Gothic (M. Lindsay) Blackneck (B. Prater) truly active recorders remains no more than a dozen. Their hard work has greatly enlarged our database. Over the last three years Although we have made excellent progress in the last few annual record totals have averaged 9,300 and species records years we sometimes feel we have hardly started. Many of in 10km squares have doubled. This vigorous recording effort our designated wildlife sites have yet to host a light trap or has led to a better understanding of the local distribution of many a day visit from a lepidopterist. There are still many poorly species. We are fortunate in the Borders to enjoy a wide variety recorded 10km squares, particularly in remote upland areas. of habitats – the high hills of the Southern Uplands, vast tracts The montane species, Broad-bordered White Underwing, of moorland, many fens and mosses, small areas of unimproved has been found in three hilltop locations but we need to grassland, a few ancient woods and a rocky coastline. define its distribution better - will it survive climate warming in this southern outpost? Do our highest hills hold Northern Dart? - possibly, but no-one has yet organised searches.

The Burnet Companion moth finds its Scottish stronghold in small sites of unimproved grassland in the central Borders - could some of its sites also hold Small Yellow Underwing? Surely the Melrose garden with its colony of Currant Clearwings isn’t the only garden in the Borders (and in Scotland!) to host this species. The Borders’ first colony of Orange Underwing was discovered only in 2012 - just how widespread is it in our area? Saxon (M. Lindsay) The time gaps in recording means that there are The location of the Borders also means that we see opportunities to re-find species and put post-2000 dots northern moths, such as Northern Arches and Saxon, near on their distribution maps. Thus we have recently seen the the southern edge of their distribution as well as southern first Berwickshire record of Scarce Prominent for 57 years moths, such as Feathered Gothic and Burnet Companion, and the first record of Ruddy Highflyer for 135 years! near their northern edge. Along our short coastal stretch we Several other species remain elusive and have not been have an assemblage of moths which is unique for Scotland found in the Borders for many years - we are trying hard, and includes the Blackneck (at its only Scottish station), for example, to rediscover Oak Beauty, Scallop Shell Dew Moth, Drinker (at its most northerly point on the east and Small Chocolate-tip. So much to do and so many coast), Marsh Pug and Northern Rustic. exciting discoveries still to be made!

Of course many species are currently moving northwards. Finally, a historical record of which Borders folk are very In recent years new arrivals from the south, such as Figure proud. A strange noctuid flew into Andrew Buckham’s of Eighty, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Least Yellow Underwing moth trap in the tiny Roxburghshire hamlet of Bedrule in and Red Underwing have caused great excitement. the late summer of 1976 - still the only UK appearance As Roy Leverton has said, perhaps the rarest moths in of the Bedrule Brocade! Scotland are not its celebrated Highland specialities but more southern species with just a foothold in the country. Malcolm Lindsay County Moth Recorder VC79, Selkirkshire Barry Prater County Moth Recorder VC81, Berwickshire Winter finds us scanning the Atlas maps to predict what species will next attempt to seek Scottish status. 08 Moths Count Newsle tter 2013

Silurian moth discoveries in the Black Mountains The Silurian moth has been puzzling British moth recorders since it was first discovered in a bleak upland area above Abertillery, in the South Wales valleys, i n1972. Why was this species seemingly restricted to a small area of Bilberry moorland, when this habitat occurs widely in the UK uplands? Recent survey work by Butterfly Conservation volunteers, working in tandem with staff at Butterfly Conservation Wales, has, however, revealed that the moth is not quite as rare Silurian (D. Grundy) as we thought.

In 20 11 Dave Grundy organised a series of upland moth surveys in the Black Mountains, which are mostly in Wales (Monmouthshire and Breconshire) but extend over the border into Herefordshire. The logistics of recording moths in these wild and windswept upland habitats are something of a nightmare. Fortunately, staff at the Brecon Beacons National Park assisted Dave by transporting his equipment up onto the 600m high Hatterrall Ridge in a 4WD vehicle, a journey which would have been impossible on foot with generators and traps. Dave and colleagues ran 10 traps on the ridge on 4th July, a night which was cool and windy and not at all appealing for moth trapping.

Only 14 moth species were recorded, but this included 11 male Silurians, providing evidence of a second breeding population in the UK. Moths were trapped on both side of the Offa’s Dyke path, and therefore straddled both England and Wales. This new site is 20km north of the Abertillery population and separated from it by the Usk Valley. Silurian larva feeding (C. Manley)

Another way to locate Silurians is to carry out night-time Even more excitingly, a speculative larval search in May searches for caterpillars in the spring. This has the 2013 produced 21 Silurian caterpillars on the Darren Lwyd advantage of requiring only a torch rather than lots of ridge, which is located to the west of the Hatterrall Ridge heavy moth trapping gear, but the downside is having and runs parallel to it. We now know the moth to occur in to be out on the hills on often freezing April nights. eleven 1km squares in the Black Mountains, compared to Surveys in 2012 revealed good numbers of larvae feeding five 1km squares at Abertillery. This just goes to show how on Bilberry close to the new area where moths were targeted survey work is needed to identify the strongholds trapped in 20 11. Further light trapping in summer 20 12 of hard-to-survey upland species such as Silurian. and larval searches in spring 20 13 have extended the known range to a 5km section in the middle of the Future work will seek to determine the full extent of the 16km-long ridge. Bilberry also occurs further south on Silurian’s distribution in the Black Mountains. Does it also the ridge but searches here have been unsuccessful, occur in other upland areas of Britain, for example perhaps because the altitude is too low. north-west England and Scotland? Not as far as we know, but targeted surveys of Bilberry moorland are required before we can say this with any certainty.

George Tordoff Butterfly Conservation Wales 09

Deserving a special mention is Murlough National Nature No rthern Ireland Reserve, sited on the east coast of Co. Down by the moth-ing update magnificent mountains of Mourne. Murlough is one of Northern Ireland’s top Lepidoptera locations and is owned Like everyone else throughout these islands, 2012 was and managed by the National Trust. It also just happens to a poor year for moth-ers in Ireland. However, here in be at the end of our regional Moth Recorder, Andy Crory’s, the North we still had a few gems to brighten up damp garden. Andy puts in an incredible amount of time and energy mornings bent over the moth trap, including those wee recording at Murlough with support and help from the National small moths which are becoming something of an Trust wardens and volunteers, as well as many NI recorders obsession amongst both established and new recorders. including Ed McGuiggan, Ted Rolston and Samuel Miller.

2012 was the unofficial year of the micro-moth in Northern In mid-July, to add to a mass of new Murlough micro-moth Ireland, with a new recording initiative being taken forward records, a Blood-vein was taken, the first record of it since by our local records centre, the Centre for Environmental 1996. This made everyone pretty happy, but it was on Data and Recording (CEDaR). This project encouraged 8th November that Andy hit the jackpot with the arrival of a greater level of recording of micros throughout the country a Stephens’ Gem, a first for Ireland and only the 8th record and with additional support provided through the Northern for the British Isles. This extremely rare American migrant Ireland Environment Link (NIEL)’s ‘Challenge Fund’, we were was almost certainly helped in its flight east by the tail end able to verify nearly 600 new specimens, adding 20 new of Hurricane Sandy. species to the Northern Ireland micro list, 2 of which are new to Ireland; Acrolepiopis betulella recorded by Kerry Despite the terrible weather of the past few years, we Leonard on 2.8.12 in Co. A ntrim and Dioryctria simplicela are delighted to be able to report that we have never had recorded by Andrew Crory on 27.6.12 in Co. Down. as many people recording moths here in Northern Ireland. The current interest and enthusiasm is totally unprecedented, Not to be outdone, there were even some new macro and we owe a lot of that to the wealth of wonderful resources; records. A new species was added to the NI list on 7th books, websites, forums and marvellous images, provided July when regular recorder C McNaughton took the Saxon by the wider moth-ing community. Ted Rolston of BCNI in Glenariff Forest Park, Co. Antrim. Staying in Co. Antrim, has worked closely with Angus Tyner of Moths Ireland new moth recorder Rodney Monteith, Head Gardener at (www.mothsireland.com ) to develop maps that combine Greenmount College, was thrilled to confirm Dot Moth for the whole Irish dataset. Northern Ireland, the last record being 1902. Peatlands Park in Co. Tyrone turned up only our 2nd ever record of For the very first time we can view our records at an White-pinion Spotted taken by Kenny Stewart and Ted All-Ireland level species by species, so we can better Rolston, and John Faulkner in Loughgall in Co. Armagh understand our moths and how to conserve them. We are turned up a Bordered Straw, one of the few migrants also very grateful to CEDaR for supporting our recorders recorded in 2012. Co. Down featured too with Jasper and to NIEL and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency Parsons taking Dingy Shell at several locations near for providing funding for various projects and resources. Killinchy, a species which only arrived in NI in 2009. I am personally very grateful to Ted, Andy and John, our verifiers, who do such a marvellous job of keeping everyone up to date, enthused and recording. There’s never been a better time to be into moths!

Catherine Bertrand Senior Regional Officer, Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland Ted Rolston Moth Recorder Andy Crory County Macro-moth Recorder Northern Ireland John McClean County Micro-moth Recorder Northern Ireland

Stephen’s Gem (D. Allen) 10 Moths Count Newsle tter 2013

The Oak Pr ocessi ona ry moth – an upd ate In the last few years Oak Processionary has been imported into this country on at least four occasions. It is regarded as a pest species because it is not native to this country and has the potential to cause damage to oak trees. It can also cause health problems to people (and animals) who come into contact with the larvae (including the larval nest) which have thousands of tiny irritating hairs that can be blown in the wind and cause rashes, itching and other symptoms.

Oak Processionary caterpillar (Forestry Commission) The species was found in London in 2006 following reports from Ealing residents complaining of rashes and breathing Butterfly Conservation (BC) accepts the need to control Oak problems. By 2012 it was firmly established and spreading Processionary moth where it occurs close to human habitation at a rate of about 1km/year, with a new population discovered because of the health risks. BC also understands why attempts in the Bromley area. Since 2010 it has also been found in should be made to try to eradicate the moth as a matter of Pangbourne, Berkshire. The Forestry Commission (FC) has urgency if it occurs outside the main outbreak area in London. led on efforts to control this moth, with circa 6000 nests However, BC is very concerned by the aerial spraying of destroyed in 2012. 10ha of woodland near Pangbourne, Berkshire, in part an SSSI, and the potential wider impact on wildlife (especially the Renewed effort to control the Oak Processionary moth is butterflies and moths) that breed there. We have raised these underway in 2013 with a £1.5 million funding injection from concerns with FC and have met with them to understand the government. The aims of this are to implement a cordon background for the spraying and what measures are in place sanitaire around the moth’s stronghold in parts of central to monitor the impacts on wildlife. We have been reassured west London, and to eradicate the Pangbourne and Bromley by FC that the spraying at Pangbourne is a one-off attempt populations. Within the buffer zone in London, surveys will be to eradicate an outbreak and will not set a precedent for stepped up and any larval nests removed and destroyed, with other areas. The FC’s application for authorisation to spray the trees and those within 50m again treated the following from the air included commitments to monitor both the efficacy spring to remove any possible survivors. Control will continue of the spray and the potential impact on the environment. within the central area as well. This approach is being adopted A monitoring programme for moths, birds and bats will be to prevent the moth spreading beyond central west London. put in place for up to five years after the aerial spraying.

In 2012, a single larval nest of Oak Processionary (which was BCs main aim is to ensure that FC establishes a robust destroyed) was found on the edge of a larger, denser block programme to assess effectiveness and impact of the control of woodland in the Pangbourne area. FC considered that programme on wildlife, both in the Pangbourne area and ground based spraying was not feasible and, recognising that elsewhere. In addition, as these outbreaks have been the result of it was possible that other trees in this area may be harbouring importations of oaks for amenity purposes, BC is also supporting the species, FC decided that the only way to ensure effective efforts by FC and others to immediately tighten import regulations treatment was to spray the woodland from the air. The spray to prevent future importations of tree pests and diseases. used is a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which is specific to Lepidoptera larvae, not just those of the Oak Processionary The Oak Processionary moth is listed as a pest under Schedule moth. This was undertaken in May 2013 to coincide with 1 of the Plant Health (Forestry) Order 2005. Anyone who knows larval emergence, but also, unfortunately, at a time when or suspects that the species (or indeed any listed tree pest) is birds are nesting and feeding their young and when larvae present anywhere in GB must notify the Forestry Commission of some common spring moths are feeding. This spraying immediately (Article 40 of the Order). Andrew Hoppit is the may, therefore, also have a knock-on impact on bats coming project manager for Oak Processionary moth in England out of hibernation the following year. (email: [email protected])

Mark Parsons Head of Moth Conservation, Butterfly Conservation Stewart Snape Deputy Head of Plant Health, Forestry Commission 11

Moths and light pollution Artificial lighting is thought to be one of several major threats to moth populations. Lights that are above ground level, such as street lights attract moths from greater distances than lights nearer to the ground. Flight-to-light behaviour around artificial lighting interferes with migration, pollination, dispersal, reproduction, foraging, and exposes moths to Street Lighting (Z. Randle) increased predation by nocturnal predators such as bats; the common pipistrelle bat is known to feed on huge Recent work carried out by van Langeveld et al. , found numbers of insects around artificial lights. Moths attracted that artificial light dominated by shorter wavelengths of to light can be injured or killed in collisions with hot lamps; light attracted moths with larger body mass, larger wing they can become disorientated and exhausted and suffer dimensions and larger eyes. In addition to this, these lights increased mortality. Artificial lighting can also interfere with attracted higher abundances of moths and more species. the ability of moths to detect the ultrasonic calls used Somers-Yeates et al . also found that shorter wavelengths by hunting bats, resulting again in increased predation. of light attracted more individuals and species of moth. Many moths use camouflage to disguise themselves from Attraction to light also differed between moth family groups; predators but when attracted to light they often rest in Noctuids were more sensitive to short wavelengths of light, places that make them visible to predatory birds by day. however, geometrids were equally attracted to both short and long wavelengths. Since the mid 20th century narrow spectrum low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting, characterised by its orange glow, has These findings could have profound knock-on effects been the most common form of street lighting to moth predators. Declines in larger moth species due to in Britain. Birds, reptiles, arachnids, mammals and insects flight-to-light behaviour could result in lower food resources are less sensitive to LPS lighting and LPS lighting is not and subsequently a decline in predator populations. Declines attractive to moths because no ultra-violet (UV) light is in moths in the UK and Netherlands are expected to have emitted. Recently there has been a move towards broader a strong effect on Nightjars because they primarily feed spectrum lighting technologies such as high pressure sodium themselves and their young on species of larger moths. (HPS), metal halide (MH) and light-emitting diode (LED). Plant populations may also be affected by the declines in These technologies emit light of varying wavelengths, larger moths; some species of moth are specialist pollinators, including shortwave UV, across the light spectrum. these plant species may decline. On the other hand, some Different animals are sensitive to different wavelengths plants may increase in number as herbivore pressure from of light and therefore broader spectrum lighting affects moth larvae will be reduced. a wider range of nocturnal animals. The potential knock-on effects of light pollution on Of the broad spectrum lighting options MH and LED invertebrate communities, species interactions, and the are likely to have the greatest impact on nocturnal animals wider environment and ultimately on the human race are because they stimulate large proportions of the light spectrum extensive. There are several options for minimising the impact to which animals are sensitive thereby improving animal of artificial lighting on our nocturnal species. These include vision in artificially lit areas. MH lamps and LEDs (that avoidance of broad spectrum lighting; fitting shields to emit UV light) will also be attractive to moths. The effect existing street lights to prevent light ‘spillage’ or trespass; of different types of lighting will vary between species groups, limiting the duration of lighting and prevention of artificial for example, LED lighting increases feeding rates in nesting lighting in or near areas that are important for wildlife. Great Tits; Lesser Horseshoe bats avoid areas lit by HPS and LED lights. A study by Davies et al ., found that predators Further reading and scavengers were more abundant under high pressure Bruce-White & Shardlow. 2011. A Review of the Impact sodium (HPS) street lights by day and night compared to of Artificial Light on Invertebrates Davies et al. 2012. Biology Letters 8: 764-767 areas between street lights. Davies et al. 2013. Global Change Biology 19 :1417-1423 Gaston et al. 2012. Journal of Applied Ecology 49 : 1256-1266 Langeveld et al. 2011. Biological Conservation 144 : 2274-2281 Somers-Yeates et al. 2013. Biology Letters 9: 20130376 12 Moths Count Newsle tter 2013

Special O ffe r: half price membership As someone who cares about the state of the UK’s moths, we invite you to join Butterfly Conservation for one year at half the usual price.

As a member you’ll become part of an active and friendly organisation that is taking action to save threatened moths and reverse the decline of species. Plus you’ll receive: n A welcome pack bursting with useful information, a car sticker and collectible postcards n Butterfly magazine three times a year packed full of fascinating features and stunning photography Moths Count n Membership of your local Butterfly Conservation Branch Contacts n Opportunities to take part in monitoring and recording schemes General enquiries n Regional newsletters and invitations to local walks, info @butterfly-conservation.org 01929 400209 talks and events Richard Fox Membership subscriptions allow us to continue the important Project Manager work we do to save threatened moths and their habitats. rfox @butterfly-conservation.org 01626 368385 By taking advantage of this special offer today not only do Les Hill you get yourself a great deal but you will also directly contribute Database Manager to the survival of these amazing creatures. lhill @butterfly-conservation.org 01929 406008 Zoë Randle Join today at www.butterfly-conservation.org/join Surveys Officer or call 01929 406015 using the promotional code MC5013 zrandle @butterfly-conservation.org 01929 406006

Half price offer valid for new members only, signing up by direct debit before 31.10.13. Acknowledgements Already a member? The ongoing Moths Count project is supported financially by The Redwing Trust, Natural England, Why not consider giving Butterfly Conservation membership Natural Resources Wales, Northern Ireland Environment to a friend or loved one as a special gift? It makes an ideal Agency, Royal Entomological Society, Scottish Natural present for any nature lover and lasts for a whole year. Heritage, Forest Services, Forestry Commission England and many other individuals and partners.

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