Moths and Butterflies

Thursday, December 27th 2018

No, please do not get excited, there are very few moths showing themselves at the minute and butterflies are hibernating. We do aim to trap moths throughout the year but it does depend on the weather and recently Tuesday nights have been cold, wet and or very windy. There have even been very few on the Field Centre.

During the spring and summer we do look forward to our moths. We do catch quite large numbers of these Brimstone Moths, which may have three generations throughout its flight season. It can spend the winter as a part grown larvae on its food plant. Some overwinter as a pupa on the food plant or in the debris below it. The larva feed on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and possibly Wayfaring Tree.

Brimstone moth

The Brimstone Butterfly looks totally different. Information seems to indicate that Foxglove could be at its northern most range. Its distribution is closely linked to its food plants, Alder Buckthorn and Buckthorn. These species have been planted at Foxglove and are now grwoing into splendid trees and with their growth so the number of Brimstone Butterfly sightings have increased over the last two or three years.

When we were looking for photos of both forms of the Peppered Moth for the new interpretation panels, we struggled to find any black forms. We catch the white form. This one almost well camouflaged.

Peppered Moth

Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies did not do well during 2017, but their numbers increased during 2018. They fed on the Knapweed in the flower meadows.

Small Toroiseshell Butterfly

Although the hot summer was good for our invertebrates there is some discussion as to the knock on effect that this will have on many inverts during 2019. We will continue to collect data from our moth trapping and butterfly sightings and pass this to the appropriate species recorder.

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Access to the Reserve: OPEN with limited access

Monday 18th March 2024 |

The reserve is now open, although again with limited access.

Visitors will be able to access the reserve with the use of key fobs provided at the pass office upon entrance to the camp, or will be provided entrance and exit through the access gate by an officer from the camp Guard Room. In this case visitors will need a mobile phone to call the Guard Room when they wish to exit the reserve.

Please be aware that due to these circumstances, entering and leaving the reserve might take a little longer than usual.