[Spiritwood]

I'm very grateful to Gill Catton for her advice, it's prevented me from making what could have been a real mistake. Please see the reply I've had from Mark at Butterfly Conservation below:

"Thanks for approaching us about this. I don't wish to sound unduly negative but, to put it bluntly, I'm afraid this is not the sort of approach we would encourage. There is a Code for Insect Introductions (attached) which provides guidance, though this is currently undergoing a revision.

Firstly the chances are that for each species you give the available habitat in your area is supporting as many of these species as is possible (although in the case of the Garden Tiger it is likely to be climate change that is affecting its national population, so available habitat may not be the issue). You mention you have a wildlife garden, that is a good approach. Most widespread species (such as these) are mobile and will find and colonise available suitable habitat. Avoid over-managing that garden thereby giving species with annual life cycles a chance to complete their life cycle, though I suspect you are already aware of this. I don't know if you run a light trap, but it is possible both these species are already in your area at the population levels that the available habitat can support. There can be a huge variety of species breeding in gardens, much of this not seen by us humans!

An additional issue to be aware of is that by releasing species it does cloud the picture with recording, if for example either species does not naturally occur in your area and someone else recorded one of those released, it could give a false impression of how well that species is doing."

I've cancelled my order for Garden Tigers and will give up my plans to rear and release UK Moths. Dissappointed sure but far better a little disappointment then end up doing harm through good intentions.

Thanks again and I hope this helps others who might think to do the same.