Flame Brocade Settles in UK

davedotcom · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 07:28 AM

Hello all,

I can't confess to being an expert in moths but I initially heard this piece on the radio this morning and thought it may deserve a spot here!

BBC Nature - Rare flame brocade moth is established in the UK

Although it's always nice to hear of new species coming to or returning to the UK (apparently it was formerly resident in Sussex until becoming extinct there in the late 19th century), could this have any impact on existing species?

Hedera · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 09:17 AM

I read that a lot of continental moths have been seen "down south" and as far north as Cumbria. Anyone seen any?

pete76 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 09:58 AM

There's an article by Patrick Barkham in the Guardian today, along with a big picture of a Deaths Head Hawkmoth - apparently quite a few have been seen on the South coast recently.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 01:14 PM

In today's freebie Metro there was an article on migrant moths appearing with a couple of nice photos of a Flame Brocade + a stunning Crimson Speckled.

MetalMoth · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 01:29 PM

I am not entirely sure how the establishing of a new species would have an impact on already resident species. Unless they compete for the same foodplant as our resident ones? It feeds on buttercup, ash and privet, which are pretty abundant food sources so I am not sure that would be a problem. I would not imagine it could really destroy those.

Also it is clearly a natural colonisation due to warmer years and it extending its range. So I have no problem with it. Species ranges are flexible and not static, some extend some decrease. We should not worry about it, if it is a natural occurence. Even if it was to start a decrease in a resident species I am not sure we should worry.

Hedera - when I was down in Dorset over the summer I saw quite a few migrants. Trapping on the coast you always get some, just this year they have been more than usual. We had the small macro Small Marbled.

Yes a Death's Head was caught at Arne in Dorset. My dream moth to get!

Julian Howe · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 04:15 PM

I think it will be interesting to see how far these migrants spread. I'm in Oxfordshire, and there was a Small Marbled caught in Oxford this Summer. Just waiting for some decent weather, and I'll get the trap out again.