Rare moth at Garrison
1 September 2007
Conservation Volunteers in Fermanagh were approached by a landowner to undertake management of wildflower rich fen grassland in the Garrison area. The grassland is being taken over by a smothering blanket of bog myrtle which shades out the more delicate wildflowers. Thus the shrub needed to be removed.
Whilst undertaking a site survey in preparation for the work, several unknown black and white moths flew across our path. Not recognising them and being curious, a quick (and fuzzy) photograph (see right, along with a better one!) was snapped for later identification.
The moth turned out to be the rare Argent and Sable (Rheumaptera hastata), a day-flying priority species, last spotted in Northern Ireland 7 years ago. Its discovery caused quite a bit of excitement amongst the experts in EHS and the Butterfly Conservation Society.
The Fermanagh CAT has spotted the moths a couple of times since but experts have yet to see them as their visits have coincided with the wet and windy weather we have had this summer. Hopefully a more detailed EHS insect survey of the area that is currently being conducted will confirm their presence. In the meantime, our volunteers can be seen running around the field trying to capture (on film) the moth. It resembles a famous episode from ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
The moth sighting caused a big rethink of the management work. The bog myrtle which was to be removed is the main habitat for the moth. Which is more important, the fen grassland or the moth? Can the site be managed to benefit both?
| Relevant links |
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| Conservation Action Teams |
| External links |
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| UK Species Action Plan for argent and sable moth |
| ARKive |