In Search of the Woolly Bear - please help
People in Worcestershire are being asked to look out for Woolly
Bears in their gardens. Woolly Bears are the familiar name for
the caterpillars of the striking Garden Tiger moth, which
scientists believe to be becoming rarer. National research has
shown that in the past thirty years, numbers of the once common
Garden Tiger moth have dropped by 44% across Great Britain. Their
woolly bear caterpillars were once familiar to children
everywhere but scientists fear that they will become a rare sight
for future generations. Now members of the West Midlands branch
of Butterfly Conservation, the national insect charity, are
launching a survey to find out how the Woolly Bear is faring in
the region.
Local Moth Officer, Neil Gregory said "Woolly Bears are
orange and black in colour and very hairy. They feed on a variety
of garden weeds and can be seen basking in the sunshine during
May or later crossing paths as they move off to their pupation
sites. The adult moth, which is large with brown and white
markings and orange underwings, flies at night during July and
August and is attracted to light. We are asking that people keep
a look out for the caterpillar or moth and let us know if they
see it. Sightings can be reported by phoning 01905 771623 or by
email to droitwich@btinternet.com We hope to show that, despite
the national decline, Tigers are still lurking in the gardens of
(county). Photographs of the Garden Tiger and its caterpillar can
be viewed on the West Midlands Butterfly Conservation
website: www.westmidlandsbutterflyconservation.org.uk"
The decline in numbers of Garden Tigers is mirrored by that of
other moths. New figures from the oldest agricultural research
station in the world at Rothamsted have revealed devastating
declines in numbers of once common moth species. Total numbers of
moths recorded from the longest-running light-trap at Rothamsted
Research Station in Hertfordshire have declined by over 60% since
the 1930s. Preliminary studies of individual moth species across
the Rothamsted Insect Survey's extensive national light-trap
network have also triggered alarm bells. During the same period,
populations of other once commonplace moths such as the Lackey
and the Figure of Eight have been decimated - their numbers
reduced by 72% and 64% respectively.
Nationally, Butterfly Conservation will now be working with
scientists at Rothamsted to discover how hundreds of other moth
species are faring, thanks to a new grant from the Esmée
Fairbairn Foundation, and the findings from the West Midlands
survey will feed into this research.
Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation said
"The preliminary findings are shocking and suggest that
many common moths may be suffering considerable declines. Moths
are a vital part of the food chain, and our results will help us
understand how serious the knock-on effects of their declines
will be for other species."
Ian Woiwod, Head of the Rothamsted Insect Survey, added "We
are delighted to be able to expand our research with the help of
Butterfly Conservation. Together we will try to identify all the
factors contributing to the demise of our moths, such as climate
and land use change. There is still much research to be done, but
a better understanding of the situation will ensure that we take
the correct action to protect these important insects."
For further information contact Neil Gregory on 01905
771623
Garden tiger moth. The underwing is orange with black spots.
Photo Neil Gregory
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