Netted Mountain Moth (1 Viewer)

Can anyone tell me where about in Easter Ross the Netted Mountain moth occurs? The following article suggests they are around here somewhere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3784795.stm

Just a question but could this be a bit of a rare one to be publicising exact locations for? I don't know anything about specific threat but thought I'd ask the question.

It looks as though you just have to look for Bearberry in any case. Mind you I wouldn't know a Bearberry if one bit me!

brianhstone said:

Just a question but could this be a bit of a rare one to be publicising exact locations for? I don't know anything about specific threat but thought I'd ask the question.

It looks as though you just have to look for Bearberry in any case. Mind you I wouldn't know a Bearberry if one bit me!

Click to expand...

I have found that when looking for an insect species that relies upon a single foodplant, that it pays to try and obtain a recent local Flora for the area concerned. Wherever that particular plant is shown in a concentrated block of records that is the place I would look for the insect.

Of course searching a tetrad (2x2km.sq.) can be arduous, but it better than just guessing where the plant or insect is. It also pays to 'swat up' on the foodplant, e.g. how to recognise it, where does it grow, on what substrait, and is it restricted by altitude etc. All this data can narrow down the area you need to search.

It helps if the distribution of the plant is restricted or localised as looking for an insect that feeds on a common plant species is far more difficult.

Harry

Bearberry grows all around this area so I will have to keep an eye out. I just thought a local rarity would make an interesting challenge. I even had another look at the Comnmon Heath moths I posted here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=17338
just in case but without any luck At least it will give my local walks some added purpose

Yes I undersatnd your point Brian. No idea how much a problem collecting would be for such species.