For whatever reason, moths get a bad reputation – one survey found that over two thirds of people in the UK have a negative opinion of moths. They are often overshadowed by their showier butterfly cousins, yet moths can be just as beautiful, if not more so. Just take the small elephant hawk-moth with its bright pink fur, or the striped jersey tiger moth.

Not all moths have to be bold to be beautiful though; some stand out for their mimicry. The lichen button moth hides in plain sight with its incredible imitation of lichen-covered tree bark, while the common plume moth rests with its wings tightly rolled, resembling a twig. 

Moths are not only beautiful and misunderstood, they are also numerous. Around 59 species of butterflies exist in the UK, compared to over 2,500 different moth species. Each one is perfectly adapted to its environment, like the broad-bordered bee hawk-moth, which mimics bumblebees to protect itself from predation. Or the hummingbird-hawk-moth, which can beat its wings up to 80 times per second to help it dart from flower to flower collecting as much nectar as possible. 

Unfortunately, moth numbers are declining across the UK, and in the south of England populations have fallen by 40% in the last 50 years. But why does this matter? 

Moths are hugely important in the ecosystem. They are vital pollinators, with several plant groups relying solely on moths for pollination. Some moths are more mobile even than bees and can carry pollen further, allowing plants to spread far and wide.  

For many animals, moths are also a crucial food source. Night flying moths are a favourite food of bats, while moth caterpillars provide sustenance for the growing chicks of robins, blackbirds and wrens.  

The decline in moths has negatively impacted other species. Reduced bat numbers over farmland, for example, is linked to reduced moth numbers caused by intensive farming and increased use of pesticides and herbicides.  

The Wildlife Trust regularly monitor moth species on its nature reserves to determine the presence of rare or declining species. 

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves support several important moth populations, including the reddish buff moth. This species used to be common across the south coast, but a single reserve on the Isle of Wight is now the only place these extremely endangered moths can be found. This underlines the importance of the Trust’s monitoring and conservation work.