A Rye UK endemic (almost)
9th September 2008, Tuesday
My moth trap near the river in Rye today held not one but two Marsh Mallow Moths. This is a Red Data Book species confined to just a few localities around Rye and in north Kent where its larval foodplant grows, the Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis). As you can see, it’s not the prettiest of moths, but its rarity makes up for that! Normally the adults stay just around the clumps of plants in marsh ditches, but occasionally they wander a little further, as far as Dungeness for example. September is their peak month. For the “Species Action Plan” and much more information, see the following web pages:
www.butterfly-conservation.org/uploads/marsh_mallow_moth.pdf
www.biodiversitysussex.org/marshmallowmoth.htm
I’ll release the moths after dark, but if anyone wants to see them, you can email me today on bonhams422@btinternet.com