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Record sightings of rare moth in Glen Affric

FLS A close up image of a moth with speckled wings, landed on the yellow petals of a flower. Surrounded by other flowers.FLS
The Affric Twitcher moth is one of the rarest in the UK

A record number of sightings have been made of a moth that is found almost exclusively in Glen Affric in the Highlands.

The Affric Twitcher, also known by its scientific name Choreutis diana, is one of the UK's rarest species of moth.

A local recorder, Mike Taylor, saw 43 adult moths during a two-day visit to the glen - the highest number for the area since records began in 2021.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), which manages woodland in Glen Affric, said the sightings highlighted the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Staff and volunteers from Butterfly Conservation also recorded 111 silk structures called larval spinnings in the area.

Patrick Cook, from the organisation, said: "The Affric Twitcher depends on native birch woodland, where its larvae feed on leaves and create distinctive canoe-shaped silken shelters known as spinnings"

FLS A tree-top view looking down Glen Affric beyond Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin and towards the Mountains in the DistanceFLS
Glen Affric is home to areas of native Caledonian Forest

Surveys were conducted in parts of Glen Affric, which has areas of surviving native Caledonian Forest, including around Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin.

Evidence of the moth was found in new areas and its range is believed to have doubled in two years.

Shona Amos, an FLS environmental forester, said deer management, removal of non-native plants and regeneration of birch woodland had played a part in helping the moth and other wildlife.