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Rare Moth Returns After 70 Years: Hope for Endangered Species
14 Aug
Summary
- A rare moth, unseen for over 70 years, has been rediscovered.
- The dark bordered beauty moth was found at Wallington estate in Northumberland.
- Habitat loss and climate change threatened the moth's survival.
A significant conservation success has been achieved with the rediscovery of a rare moth population in Northumberland, England, after an absence of more than 70 years. The dark bordered beauty, a species once common across northern England and Scotland, had dwindled to a single, declining site in Yorkshire. Its caterpillars depend on aspen and creeping willow, making conservation challenging.
Conservationists, led by Dr. Dave Wainwright, have been actively searching for new habitats for this elusive moth. A recent expedition to the National Trust's Wallington estate, where the moth was last recorded in 1952, yielded success within minutes. This finding is particularly encouraging as Wallington presents a different ecological profile than previously understood ideal habitats.
The rediscovery at Wallington offers a crucial glimmer of hope for the dark bordered beauty, indicating that other undiscovered colonies might exist. Conservationists are optimistic about expanding suitable habitats and securing the future of this endangered species across new regions. The National Trust plans to enhance the moth's potential habitat at the estate.
