Neil Sherman is a moth expert and has sent our Conservation team the latest moth records from across the county. 

Neil explains, “The Suffolk Moth Group is a bunch of wildlife enthusiasts that have a particular interest in moths and are keen to survey the county’s moth fauna as it is currently changing so rapidly. This rapid change is due to a number of factors like climate change (new species colonizing from further south as it gets warmer, some declining due to the winters being too warm for hibernation), accidental introductions from the plant trade (for example the box moth) and habitat improvement (species increasing due to better habitat management) and habitat loss (urbanization, over-tidying of the countryside). All factors that are affecting a lot of wildlife!” 

Neil and the team have been surveying at a number of sites in Suffolk, as well as at  and Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserves and from hundreds of records he’s picked out some of the most notable species found: 

Bradfield Woods 

Bradfield Woods is one of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands and is a glorious haven for wildlife. The woods have been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252, fulfilling local needs for hazel products and firewood. Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management which creates structural diversity. Stems are cut at ground level promoting vigorous re-growth. We keep woodland glades and rides open to encourage woodland flora, which in turn supports a thriving population of insects, including moths and butterflies. 

• Paracrania chrysolepidella – a leaf mining moth on hazel and hornbeam. Mainly found in old woods in Suffolk. 
• Oxypterix atrella - Micro moth that feeds on St John's wort, so good ride management is excellent for the moth and plant. Only seven records found in Suffolk, so it’s scarce and a great find. 
• Small white wave - another moth that likes hazel coppice (the caterpillars eat hazel). 
• Magpie moth – a declining species so good to find. Feeds on blackthorn and currant. 
   

Dunwich beach 

The shingle beach at Dunwich is backed by marshes, acid grassland and brackish lagoons, and is near to our Dingle Marshes nature reserve. 

• Monopis monachella – a striking black and white micro moth found mainly in the UK on the Suffolk coast. Thought to feed on owl pellets! 
• Nyctegretis lineana - Colourful micro moth found mainly on the coast in Suffolk and nationally rare. 
• Tawny wave - acid grassland/herb rich turf species found in the Brecks and Sandlings mainly in the UK. 
• Jersey tiger - colourful tiger moth spreading from the south of the UK into Suffolk due to climate change. Will soon become common as it has done in other counties. 
• Dark Crimson underwing - large spectacular moth with reddish hindwings. The one we caught was no doubt a migrant from Europe as it is a woodland species feeding on oak. Just possible it has started to colonize Suffolk with an increase in records. 

Hen Reedbeds 

Situated near to Southwold on the Suffolk coast, Hen Reedbeds is a rich mosaic of wonderful wetland habitat. With the Blyth estuary on one side, the muds provide ideal feeding grounds for waders. The reedbeds themselves were created in 1999 to provide new breeding habitat for bittern and other wildlife.  

• Saltern Neb - a rare salt-marsh species in Suffolk. The larvae feed in the stems and rootstock of sea milkwort. 
• Rosy wave - Sea beet is the foodplant. Nationally scarce saltmarsh species. 
• Water ermine - scarce wetland moth found along the Suffolk coast in good fen habitats. 
• Lunar yellow underwing - Nationally scarce acid grassland moth found mainly in the UK in the Brecks and Sandlings. Needs short, sparse, acid grassland so the area near the car park is good habitat. 

If you’re interested in Suffolk’s moths, have a look at https://www.suffolkmoths.co.uk/index.php where there is a wealth of information about moths in the county and news on events.