Rare Bog Grass Moth Discovered in North Wales Nature Reserve

A rare species of moth, the Bog Grass Moth, has been discovered for the first time in the Cors Geirch National Nature Reserve in north Wales. Conservationists conducting a species survey in the Llŷn Peninsula were surprised to find the "incredibly sparse moth" in the habitat.

While an exact population count for the Bog Grass Moth in the UK is not known, it has historically been recorded in only a few English counties, such as Dorset. The Cors Geirch reserve, a fen characterized by low, flat, wet land, is monitored by Natur am Byth's Llŷn and Ynys Môn project, which focuses on protecting at-risk species in north Wales.

During a single night of moth trapping at Cors Geirch, researchers collected 446 moths representing 91 different species. Among these, 19 were identified as Bog Grass Moths, marking the species' first recorded presence in this area. Natural Resources Wales indicated that the reserve's habitat supports the growth of wet sedges, which are the sole food source for the Bog Grass Moth's larvae.

Conservationists also recorded other rare species at the site, including the Six Spotted Crane Fly and the Black Nightrunner Ground Beetle. Lepidopterists Steve Palin and Charles Aron commented on the significance of the find, stating that it enhances the understanding of the region's winged insects and highlights the value of focused surveys in specialized fen habitats. Clare Sampson, a project manager for RSPB Cymru, noted that the efforts of staff, contractors, and volunteers were instrumental in maintaining the wetland that supports these rare invertebrate species.