Moth species makes Channel Islands debut

Wednesday 06 November 2024

A new species of moth has been spotted in the Channel Islands for the first time.

The presence of a Robust Tabby moth in Alderney last month marked the first time the species has ever been recorded in the Channel Islands, according to the island's Wildlife Trust.

With only a handful of sightings made in the UK, the Robust Tabby is a rare sighting in the whole of the British Isles.

Pictured: The Robust Tabby has only ever been spotted a handful of times in the UK.

Discovered by Lou Collings who leads Alderney Wildlife Trust's moth monitoring efforts, the Robust Tabby is a member of the Erebidae family of species and can be recognised by forewings patterned with undulating lines and black flecks and pale hind-wings.

The moth's natural range extends from Asia through Africa, the Mediterranean, and as far north as Spain and Portugal – so a sighting of the Robust Tabby in the British Isles is rare and often associated with accidental transport on fruit shipments.

However, with Alderney’s recent strong southerly winds, it is possible the moth arrived in the Channel Islands after being blown off its usual course.

With over 600 moth species now identified on the island, this discovery adds to Alderney's diverse insect population records which was started by lepidopterist David Wedd.

The Alderney Wildlife Trust said that the Robust Tabby is unlikely to establish itself as an invasive species in the island, but its appearance highlights the importance of monitoring the unique natural environment there.