AN ELUSIVE species of moth once believed to be extinct in Britain has been discovered at a Warwickshire country park.
Rangers at Ryton Pools Country Park have uncovered the presence of the Dusky Clearwing Moth.
The species had not been sighted in Britain since 1924 until a female specimen was documented on a farm in the county in 2021. Subsequently, the species was spotted twice in undisclosed locations in June of this year.
This prompted several more sightings around the UK as enthusiasts set traps in hope of spotting the rare moth. But subsequent sightings have been scarce and typically have only included single specimens, suggesting the moth is only present in very low densities.
A Warwickshire County Council spokesperson said the discovery highlighted the importance of ongoing conservation efforts.
Coun Heather Timms, the council’s spokeswoman for Environment, Climate and Culture, said: “The rediscovery of the Dusky Clearwing Moth at Ryton Pools Country Park is a testament to the park’s commitment to conservation and the rangers’ ongoing efforts to protect endangered species.
“It serves as a reminder of the invaluable role played by our green spaces in safeguarding biodiversity and preserving the natural heritage of the region.”
Rangers at Ryton Pools create habitats in which different species can flourish and ecosystems thrive.
Among the many important species found at Ryton Pools, ten varieties of the nationally scarce Clearwing moths have been recorded, including two Hornet Mimics and the exceedingly rare Sallow Clearwing.
The UK is home to around 2,600 species of moths, with Warwickshire hosting around 1,650 varieties. Ryton Pools alone has recorded an impressive tally of 825 moth species.
The State of the UK’s Larger Moths Report (2021) revealed an alarming 33 per cent decline in moth numbers since the 1970s, triggering widespread ecological consequences for the myriad of species that rely on them for sustenance. Recent research has further emphasised the importance of moths in pollination.
Visit www.countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk for more information about Warwickshire’s Country Parks.
Moth-spotting events this week
Ryton Pools stages its annual Moth Night on Friday August 4. The evening will include a presentation covering tips on moth identification, why and how to record them, and their importance to other biodiversity, before visitors head out to set traps in the park.
The following morning, visitors can return to take part in the Moth Breakfast event. As day breaks, they will check the moth light traps that were set the previous night and learn about the findings.
The venue will also host a ‘Moths, Butterflies and Flying Creatures’ event on Thursday August 10. Participants will be equipped with bug pots, shaker sheets and sweep nets before heading out around the park guided by rangers in search of bugs and minibeasts.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/4usw6a7e for more information.
