© Dr. Roy Leverton 2005
The habitat requirements for many of the species in the research programme are already known. An exception to this is the argent & sable moth (Rheumaptera hastata L.).
This species of day flying moth is found in a northern and southern form (subsp. nigrescens and subsp. hastata, respectively). The southern form is considered to be very rare, with only a few locations of known presence and a growing number of counties from where it is now extinct. A survey of 28 woodlands that were within the historic range of argent & sable and which offered potentially suitable habitat, returned no records for this species. It was thought that the species was associated with lowland birch re-growth or scrub in coppice or ride situations. Gauging the importance of woodland or coppice management for this species required an understanding of microhabitat requirements.
Between 2000 and 2003, populations have been studied in three woodlands in lowland England. Sapling birch (Betula spp.) up to a metre tall that are in full sun for most of the day appear to be essential for the larvae of this species. The results imply that management must seek to retain birch in actively coppiced sites and on well lit ride sides.
This work has been carried out in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation and consultant Susan Clarke and is co-ordinated through Butterfly Conservation’s "Action for Threatened Moths Project".
