Key facts
- Wingspan: 25 – 34mm
- Distribution: Endemic subspecies to Scotland. Populations in the Inner Hebrides, Ardnamurchan, Mull of Kintyre and near Oban
- Adult flight period: early June – July
- Status: UK status: Scarce (Nationally Scarce A)
- Species on the Edge areas: Argyll and Inner Hebrides
Species information
How to identify
The transparent moth on first glance looks similar to several other burnet moths, however is easily distinguishable by the three blunt red streaks on its thinly scaled forewings.
When to see
The adult flight period is early June to July.
Distribution
This species is an endemic subspecies to Scotland. It has populations in the Inner Hebrides from Skye to the northern part of Jura, and on the mainland: Ardnamurchan; Mull of Kintyre; and near Oban.
The Welsh subspecies went extinct in 1962. It is absent from England. A different subspecies (subspecies sabulosa) occurs in the Burren region of western Ireland.
Habitat and feeding
Habitat: Found on steep, grassy, south or south-west facing slopes and undercliffs on or near the coast, and rarely inland on limestone.
Feeding: The caterpillar foodplant is wild thyme. The preferred adult nectar plant is also wild thyme.
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- UK status: Scarce (Nationally Scarce A)
Threats
Both over and under-grazing can reduce the abundance of its foodplant – wild thyme.
Management
It is reliant on instability of slopes to maintain sites in early-successional stage (newly disturbed and low in nutrients – the perfect conditions for the moth’s sole foodplant, wild thyme) and/or moderate grazing to provide bare ground and a short sward. Both over and under-grazing can reduce the abundance of wild thyme.
What Species on the Edge is doing
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Increased monitoring and surveying, to better understand the species’s needs at all stages of the lifecycle.
- Engaging with local communities to increase awareness of the moth.
Gallery
