Moths and butterflies bring beauty and balance to the natural world. While butterflies are often celebrated for their bright colours and elegant flight, moths are just as fascinating with their intricate patterns and unique behaviours. Both play a vital role in pollination and are an essential food source for birds, bats and other wildlife.
However, moths and butterflies are in decline and urgent action is needed. Since 1976, 80% of butterfly speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More in the UK have decreased in either abundance, distribution or both. And in the last 50 years, over two-thirds of common and widespread macro moths have declined.
Moths and butterflies are found in a wide range of Devon’s habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More, from shady woodlands to sunny limestone grasslands, but all need certain things:
Flower-rich habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More: Adult moths and butterflies feed on nectar produced by flowers so depend on habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More with a wide range of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees.
Long grass: Grasses provide food and shelter for many moths and butterflies throughout the year, so uncut grass is vital for their survival.
Caterpillar foodplants: Some speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More require a specific foodplant, and if this is rare then the moth or butterfly will be too. For example, white admiral caterpillars feed on honeysuckle in woodlands while the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth feeds on devil’s bit scabious, found in flower rich acidic wet grasslands. Many common garden butterflies, such as the peacock, red admiral and comma, only feed on nettles.
Shelter: Moths and butterflies overwinter and pupate in sheltered spots such as grass tussocks, scrubLand with thick vegetation that includes wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees of different ages an... More, trees, buildings and soil. Some caterpillars burrow into soil to pupate while others fix onto plants using a cocoon, which can cover entire bushes. A few speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More, such as the silver-studded blue, are taken by ants into their nests where they’re ‘farmed’ to excrete sugars for the ants and in turn are protected until they pupate.
Connectivity: A network of connected flower– rich habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More (meadows, hedgerow corridors, woodlands and gardens) is critical as populations that live in isolated habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More are far more likely to die out. Different speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More travel different distances to find habitatsThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More. For example, wood whites are weak fliers and need continuous habitatThe natural environment in which an animal, plant or other organism lives. More or gaps of no more than 500m while the high brown fritillary can travel xxx kms.
Moths in Devon
1,398 of the UK’s 2,500 breeding moth speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More are found in Devon. Xxx are listed as Devon SpeciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More of Conservation Concern and xx of these are Focus SpeciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More. xxx are Devon Special SpeciesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing. as Devon is a national stronghold for them.
Butterflies in Devon
39 of the UK’s 59 butterfly speciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More are found in Devon. 13 are listed as Devon SpeciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More of Conservation Concern and seven of these are Focus SpeciesA group of similar organisms that can breed and exchange genes. More. The brown hairstreak, pearl-bordered fritillary and XX are Devon Special SpeciesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing. as Devon is a national stronghold for them