Moths and habitat management, with marsh moths as a case. Wim Veraghtert - Natuurpunt Studie Moths & habitat management In contrast to butterflies, moths are often neglected. • Local moth diversity not always surveyed. • Specific habitat requirements of rare species largely unknown Making appropriate recommandations is difficult Griposia aprilina Merveille du Jour Diana-uil – La Runique Moths & nature management Habitat specialists need more than the right food plant! Perizoma albulata Grass Rivulet Ratelaarspanner La Périzome du Rhinanthe & Rhinanthus minor Yellow-rattle Kleine ratelaar Moths & nature management Literature: ‘macro-moths’ & habitat management • Habitat patches & moth mobility • Minimum size of forest fragments? Slade E. M. et al. 2013. Life-history traits and landscape characteristics predict macro- moth responses to forest fragmentation. Ecology 94: 1519-1530. Moths & nature management Literature: ‘macro-moths’ & habitat management •Impact of forest management on woodland moths • Unmanaged forest & coppice management Merckx T. et al. 2012. Conserving threatened Lepidoptera: Towards an effective woodland management policy in landscapes under intense human land-use. Biol. Cons. 149: 32-39 Stauropus fagi Lobster moth Eekhoorn Idaea biselata Small fan-footed wave Schildstipspanner – La Truie Moths & restored habitats Large-scale habitat restoration is successful! Example: Averbode Bos & Heide Aporophyla nigra Black rustic Zwarte witvleugeluil Why focus on marsh moths? • Marshes as an interesting habitat for invertebrates • A selection of 33 species of macro-moths • 10 species with ‘Natuurpunt- label’ Simyra albovenosa Reed Dagger Veraghtert et al. 2012. Natuur.focus 11(1): 12-20 Kleine rietvink Marsh moths Distribution of marsh moths in Flanders Marsh moths Reed Leopard (Phragmataecia castaneae) Rietluipaard – La Zeuzère du Roseau Distribution in Belgium (2003-2018) (© Ludwig Jansen) Marsh carpet Gagitodes sagittata Very rare in Western Europe Feeds on Common Meadow-rue (Thalictrum flavum) Poelruitspanner – La Périzome du Pigamon © Maarten Jacobs Marsh carpet Gagitodes sagittata Distribution in Belgium: 2003-2018. Two strongholds: Durme valley & valley of the Kleine Nete Common Meadow-rue Thalictrum flavum Distribution in Flanders: 2003-2018. - Often in river valleys - Often in hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities (Habitat type 6430; Filipendulion) Marsh carpet Gagitodes sagittata Which foodplants? Poelruitspanner – La Périzome du Pigamon © Robin Vermylen Management for Marsh carpet Viersels Gebroekt: Floodings in May-June 4,60m TAW • June 2016: record spring rainfall (174mm) • Beaver settled in the valley of the Nete Management for Marsh carpet •Flooding is detrimental for pupae •Last sighting of Marsh carpet in the valley of the Nete: 2013 5,30m TAW 400 420 440 460 Niveau480 TAW500 520 540 560 580 (cm) 2009: 10-12-08 17-02-09 28-04-09 first 07-07-09 Management 22-09-09 01-12-09 sighting 09-02-10 20-04-10 29-06-10 2010/12: 2010/12: 20-09-10 29-11-10 07-02-11 19-04-11 2011/10: 2011/10: 13-06-11 lodge 21-08-11 30-10-11 08-01-12 19-03-12 2012/9: 28-05-12 first 05-08-12 for 15-10-12 beaver 24-12-12 04-03-13 second 13-05-13 M 22-07-13 dam 30-09-13 beaver 09-12-13 arsh 17-02-14 28-04-14 22-07-14 dam 30-09-14 4,90m 22-12-14 carpet 02-03-15 2014: 11-05-15 19-07-15 28-09-15 beaver 20-12-15 28-02-16 09-05-16 17-07-16 dams 26/9/216 4,60m removed PulseBeek s003 s002 Management for Marsh carpet Situation in the Durme-valley • Small fragmented populations • Foodplants in shaded and non-flooded conditions • Small-scale experiments • Grazing proved to be negative for the foodplants • Spatial temporal variation in mowing regimes • No mowing in (early) summer: larvae develop during July Conclusion & future perspectives • Although enormous increase in distribution data, knowledge gaps about ecology still remain • Habitat management for critical species: still experimental • Providing species-specific management recommandations, especially for those species with ‘Natuurpunt-label’ Deltote uncula Silver Hook Zilverhaak – L’Ancre Acknowledgements • All volunteers involved in recording moths • Kurt Jonckheere for sharing his knowledge on Marsh carpets in the Durme valley • Karin Gielen & Wout Opdekamp for maps & figures • Photographers: Pieter Cox, Wim Declercq, Marc Herremans, Maarten Jacobs, Ludwig Jansen, Leo Janssen, Kurt Jonckheere, Robin Vermylen & Maarten Willems Orthonama vittata Moeraswalstrospanner La Phalène du Gaillet palustre © Maarten Jacobs.