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Rare Bog Grass Moth Recorded for First Time in North Wales
By Drooid · · How we work
Discovery of the Bog Grass Moth at Cors Geirch
During a routine survey of the fen habitat at Cors Geirch National Nature Reserve on the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, conservationists documented the presence of the Bog Grass Moth (*Megalophanes viciella*). This marks the first confirmed record of the species in the area, expanding its known UK distribution beyond a few English counties such as Dorset.
Conservation Monitoring and Habitat
The site is part of Natur am Byth’s Llyn and Ynys Môn project, which monitors wetland habitats that support at-risk invertebrates. Natural Resources Wales notes that the fen’s wet sedges provide the sole larval food source for the Bog Grass Moth, making the habitat essential for the moth’s life cycle.
Participants and Organizations
The survey was conducted by lepidopterists Steve Palin and Charles Aron, specialists in moth identification, alongside staff, contractors, and volunteers coordinated by RSPB Cymru project manager Clare Sampson. The collaborative effort reflects the broader involvement of local conservation groups and governmental bodies in protecting Wales’ specialist fen ecosystems.
Survey Results and Species Count
Moth traps set for a single night captured 446 individuals representing 91 species. Nineteen of these were Bog Grass Moths, a notable proportion given the species’ rarity. Additional rare invertebrates recorded at the reserve included the Six-Spotted Crane Fly and the Black Nightrunner Ground Beetle, underscoring the site’s biodiversity value.
Ecological Significance
The finding adds a significant data point to the understanding of winged insect diversity in north Wales and demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted moth recording in specialist fen habitats. Conservationists argue that such discoveries highlight the importance of continued monitoring and habitat protection to uncover and safeguard species that remain largely undocumented.