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Plovers - Romney Marsh Birdwatching Breaks, Bird Tours and Bed & Breakfast

Moths of Dungeness

At Dungeness and the surrounding environs approximately 600 species of macro moths have been recorded down the years, which is roughly two thirds of the national total. Add to that over 100 species of Pyralidae, micro moths and it is easy to see why the shingle foreland of Dungeness is one the best places in the country for these fascinating creatures.
  Migrant moths from the near continent are regularly noted, along with rarities such as White Spot and Clancy’s Rustic, while Dungeness continues to play host to the only known breeding colony of Sussex Emeralds.
  At Plovers we run a Skinner type moth trap throughout the year, which has recorded almost 200 species, and have access to several other traps locally. A typical tour of the light traps during the summer months can yield several hundred moths, comprising anything up to 100 species.
  Here are just a sample of the species you could expect to see at the  Plovers moth trap in a typical year.

Sussex Emerald
 A moth of high summer that comes to light in small numbers and is a specially protected Red Data Book species. The two projections on the hindwing separate it from all other emeralds. The larval food plant is mainly wild carrot, which grows on coastal shingle ridges across the Dungeness National Nature Reserve.

White Spot
  Another Red Data Book species, and one that breeds at only half a dozen sites along the south coast of England, including Dungeness. Comes to light regularly in late spring. The larvae feed on the seeds of Nottingham Catchfly, an abundant wild flower that grows on the Dungeness Desert.

Peppered Moth
   A common moth whose flight season extends from May to August. This species is often cited as an example of evolution in progress, as the frequency of the black form recently became much higher in areas of high industrial and atmospheric pollution, suggesting it was adapting to a changing environment. The larvae feed on a wide range of trees and woody shrubs.

Elephant Hawk Moth
  An unmistakable and spectacular moth of the summer months that comes to light in small numbers. Willowherb is the  main larval food plant. The caterpillar often attracts attention, because of its size and large black, eye markings.

Burnished Brass 
  A stunning moth of early summer and unmistakable with its metallic, brassy yellow forewing pattern. It flies at dusk and feeds on a wide range of flowers including Red Valerian, Buddleia and Honeysuckle, and regularly comes to light.