HOME__________________________________________________________________________________________________

NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT 2003

Organised by Atropos and InsectLine with the support of Butterfly Conservation.

Discover the magnificence of moths
National Moth Night
Saturday 12 April 2003

(Species list for West Midlands branch event can be viewed here)

National Moth Night 2003, Britain’s biggest single night moth survey, is fast approaching and moth enthusiasts around the country are making plans for the big night. But its not just an event for enthusiasts, anyone can help to record moths in their own back yard and many are surprised at the shear variety and beauty of these nocturnal creatures, not to mention their weird and wonderful names. Moths are important indicators of the health of our countryside and some of our British species are vividly coloured, rivalling the beauty of some of our best-loved butterflies.

A special moth night event for anyone interested in seeing the beauty of some of our local moth species is being organised by Butterfly Conservation at Ribbesford Wood near Bewdley. Meet at 7 pm on Saturday April 12th at the forest gate – contact Rosemary Winnall on (07732 203393) or 01299 266489 (eves) for more details. Ribbesford Wood is ancient woodland, which may hold some rare and exciting moth species including the national target, Orange Upperwing. An experienced moth recorder will be on hand to show members of the public some of the attractive early spring moths on the wing.

As well as the organised event, many enthusiasts will also be independently looking for scarce local species such as the Common Fan-foot and White-line Snout or looking at what is flying in their garden.

You can even take part from your home by recording the moths at the kitchen window. The simplest way to get started with moths is to look at those that are attracted to your house lights. If you have an outside light try hanging an old white sheet against the wall behind it to increase its attractiveness to moths. Some moths will remain where they land until the morning allowing you to get a close look at them.

This year’s national target species are Orange Upperwing and Sword-grass. The Orange Upperwing is suspected to be extinct – but who knows, this event may just be the chance to identify and save the last few remaining colonies. Its former ranges included oak woodland of central, southern and south-western England. Sword-grass is a species of moorland and open woodland.

The results from each site will be collected in Britain’s biggest single night survey of the moths around the country, a summary of which is published in the journal Atropos.

Further details of the target species, how to take part and events around the country can be found at www.nationalmothnight.info or by phoning the National Moth Night Information Line (09068 446862, calls cost 60p per minute). Funds from public events and the Information Line will be donated to the National Moth Night conservation fund, which is being used to help the endangered Reddish Buff moth on the Isle of Wight.

Notes

• Orange Upperwing (Jodia croceago) and Sword-grass (Xylena exsoleta) are both UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. In recent years there has been much speculation as to whether Orange Upperwing is now extinct in Britain, remains present in very low numbers or in undiscovered localities, or whether there is something about its lifecycle that we don’t fully understand. Its former range included oak woodland in central, southern and south-west England, and in Wales. The last records came from the Lampeter area between 15 October and 4 November 1994, followed by an intriguing record of one found in a spider’s web at Stover Park, Devon, on 8 October 1999. Sword-grass offers the chance for recorders in Scotland, Northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland to target a specific species, it being an inhabitant of moorland and open woodland.

• The Reddish Buff (Acosmetia caliginosa) is both a Red Data Book and UK BAP Priority Species, receiving full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is confined to a single locality on the Isle of Wight. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has purchased the majority of land occupied by the species and intend to manage the mosaic of heathland and scrub to ensure the survival of the moth. Money raised from NMN 2003 will be used to help finance scrub control and maintenance of sward height.

• Atropos is the UK's premier journal for Lepidoptera and Odonata enthusiasts, published three times a year and available for an annual £18.00 subscription from Atropos, 36 Tinker Lane, Meltham, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 4EX. www.atroposuk.co.uk

• InsectLine (09068 700 250) is the UK’s only telephone information service for butterfly, moth and dragonfly enthusiasts, providing a 24-hour news service on sightings of migrants and some resident species. Calls charged at 60p/min at all times.

• Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity taking action to save butterflies, moths and their habitats. For more information, visit www.butterfly-conservation.org.

Contacts

• Mark Tunmore, National Moth Night Co-ordinator, 01326 290287.
• Jane Ellis – West Midlands Regional Officer, Butterfly Conservation 01788 543809
• Carmel Mallinson, Publicity Officer, Butterfly Conservation, 0870 7744309.