Marlborough's missing moth returns after 120 years!

The extremely rare moth, the Light Crimson Underwing, is so rare that it was thought to be locally extinct – as it has not been seen in the forest since the last sighting around 1900.

The adult moth -  Catocala promissa - was sighted by butterfly and moth experts David Green and Dr Susan Clarke while undertaking surveys for Butterfly Conservation on behalf of Forestry England.

“I was walking very carefully through the forest, keeping my eyes on the ground, when I saw it taking moisture from the edge of a muddle puddle,” said David.

He added: “You won’t be able to report exactly what I said when I saw it, but basically I thought ‘……. hell, it’s a Light Crimson Underwing!’

“This is a very significant record for this rare species. In fact it was thought to be locally extinct. The last time a sighting of one was recorded in the forest was back at the end of the 19th Century. It is usually only found in the New Forest.”

David Green, mothfinder general of Butterfly Conservation

David, an expert specialist for the Butterfly Conservation charity, said that global warming may be a reason behind the moth’s return.

“The truth is that we don’t know why it’s back but I suspect that climate change may be a big influence. We’re finding a lot of species that are usually found in the south are now spreading northwards.”

He added: “It’s one of the most spectacular moths, I last saw one in the New Forest five years ago, it’s very exciting to have found it in Savernake Forest.”

The forest, owned by the Earl of Cardigan, is home to ancient oak trees, one, Big Belly Oak, is more than 1,000 years old, and that makes it an ideal habitat for the Underwing.

“They like very old oak trees, the older the better and preferably large veteran Pedunculate oak, and there are plenty of old oaks in Savernake,” said David.

“I hope to find other rare species there as it is a great place for wildlife.”

 Forestry England Ecologist, Sam Pegler, added: “The re-discovery of an absent species is always exciting, but the 120-year gap since the last sighting of a Light Crimson Underwing moth in Savernake Forest makes this particularly unusual.

“The moth’s presence highlights the great importance of the veteran trees, which we work to protect and preserve, as well as nurturing trees that will become the veterans of the future.

“This Butterfly Conservation survey also identified areas of potential breeding habitat for the Light Crimson Underwing. It’s early to speculate, but it is possible that our ongoing efforts might support the moth to return to the forest in greater numbers.”