Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin 2011 - Butterfly Conservation

Appendix A gives a full list of Lepidoptera listed under the UKBAP (excluding ‘Research only’ species).
3.1 Update on UK BAP moths – a summary for the year 2010
Summaries by Mark Parsons Head of Moth Conservation, Tony Davis Moth Conservation Officer,
Bernadette Noake Conservation Officer - Threatened Species, Amber Rosenthal Conservation Officer
- Threatened Species, Dr. Tom Prescott Species Conservation Officer, Scotland and Dr. Dan Hoare
South East England Senior Regional Officer with contributions from, Sharon Hearle East of England
Regional Officer, Catherine Bertrand, Senior Regional Officer, Northern Ireland, Russel Hobson
Head of Conservation, Wales, Paul Hatcher (Reading University), Stephen Palmer (South & West
Lancashire County Micro-Moth Recorder), Mike Howe (Countryside Council for Wales) and Dr. Mark
Young (University of Aberdeen).
Factsheets for many of the species covered below are available as downloads from the Butterfly
Conservation website, www.butterfly-conservation.org/mothsspeciesfactsheets.
Anania funebris
Stephen Palmer, of the Lancashire Moth Group, reports that the moth was found during daytime
searches at three previously known sites on the Silverdale limestone, with a maximum count of eight.
As with last year, the numbers observed were probably down due to the weather rarely being suitable
when visits could be made. Unfortunately, a request to get butterfly transect recorders involved in
monitoring this species at one site have not, so-far, produced any takers.
Aplota palpella
Following on from the first ever Sussex records, on 21 st July 2006 and 24 th July 2008, the first record
in Hampshire for over 100 years was made on 23 rd July 2010. It may be that this species is having a
resurgence or it may just have been overlooked. It is known that at least two of these records were of
individuals sitting on top of Robinson style MV traps, rather than being inside. It is also noticeable
how close together the dates of capture are, perhaps indicating a very short flight period. Two of the
sites were ancient oak woodland and the third was a conifer plantation with scattered oaks. None
were open woodland or parkland as referred to in The Moths & Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland
(Vol. 4 Pt. 1).
Argent & Sable Rheumaptera hastata
2010 was another good year for Argent & Sable in Scotland with 18 records received to date. Of
these five were from new 10km squares whilst others were from new sites. This continues the recent
increase in records and probably reflects the higher profile that this species has enjoyed over the last
seven years in Scotland rather than an increase in population and range. Since 2000 it has been
recorded in 84 10km squares of which 56 (67%) are “new” squares. We believe Argent & Sable is fairly
widespread in the western half of Scotland and still remains under-recorded, with many new sites
and 10km squares awaiting discovery. A number of sites have been entered into Scotland’s agrienvironment
scheme, the Scottish Rural Development Programme, specifically for management to
enhance the habitat for Argent & Sable.
In contrast, the situation in England and Wales is quite different, with records from approximately 30
sites since 2000 and 15 sites since 2006. Larval searches were carried out at five of the key sites in
England in 2010. At one site in Somerset, the known distribution of the moth was expanded, following
larval searches on parts of the site not previously surveyed. Larvae were also recorded at another
site nearby, which Natural England, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation are aiming to
link to the main population by thinning/felling woodland. Natural England have continued to carry out
management work with volunteer groups to benefit Argent & Sable, including two joint Butterfly
Conservation and Natural England volunteer work parties.
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