[Scholesy86]

Hi all,

I have to give a presentation on a BAP species at uni, and I picked the Argent and Sable moth. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some information to get up and running?

I know it comes in two forms in the UK, that the northern one feeds on bog myrtle and the southern one on birch regrowth, that the young spins leaves and pupates over winter, flight seasons and the like. Apart from that though I am beginning to get a bit stuck. I have searched the web, but ukmoths comes up with only the most basic of information and butterfly conservations pdf files tend to be more on the southern species and habitat management.

One of the main thing I was wondering is if the caterpillar feeds inside the leaf (leaf miner) and eats the mesophyll inside the spun leaves.

Any other information more than welcome, especially on recent records vs historic records (showing its decline) and anything more specific on the nothern subspecies.

Scholesy

[joshjenkinsshaw]

This is from the Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin no. 10 April 2010

'Argent & Sable Rheumaptera hastata

2009 was another good year for Argent & Sable in Scotland with around 16 records received to date.
Of these three were from new 10km squares and seven were new sites. This continues the recent
increase in records and probably simply reflects the higher profile that this species has enjoyed over
the last six years in Scotland rather than an increase in population and range. Since 2000 it has
been recorded in 77 10km squares of which 51 (66%) are “new” squares. We believe Argent &
Sable is fairly widespread in the western half of Scotland and still remains under-recorded, with many
new sites and 10km squares awaiting discovery!

In contrast, the situation in England and Wales is quite different as the moth continues an apparent
decline and retreat from the south of Britain. Although there are records of Argent & Sable on c. 30
sites from England and Wales since 2000, and 16 sites since 2005, eight key sites have been
identified in England to prioritise survey work. Argent & Sable was recorded at five of these sites in
2009. At one site in Somerset, further investigations were made into the use of bog myrtle Myrica
gale by larvae (a foodplant usually associated with Scottish colonies) in order to inform management.
Following management advice at this site, clearings within one field with 2 – 4 m tall bog myrtle and
birch Betula spp. were cut in the winters of 2008/09 and 2009/10. In July 2009, many more Argent &
Sable larvae were found in this field (from the areas cut in the winter of 2008/09) than the previous
year.

In Northern Ireland, a total of 199 larvae were found by four people searching various locations in
Ballintempo Forest. Another new site was also found at Killeter Forest in West Tyrone where an adult
Argent & Sable was seen in June and two 1st
instar larvae were found in July.

Further surveys are required in some areas of England, anyone wishing to help should contact
Bernadette Noake (bnoake@butterfly-conservation.org 01929 406004).'

Hope it helps

Josh

[Scholesy86]

Thanks Josh, that is fantastic stuff.

Just thought of another question though. What does the adult feed on? Can't find that anywhere online either.

[Dave Allen]

Hi

Good summary above - adults are just nectar feeders so are not specific to any plant. The caterpillars are NOT leaf miners - they are spinners and spin leaves together to form a tent/tube in which they graze on the leaf. New sites in Fermanagh found this year and presence reconfirmed in Tyrone sites - one of which is likely to be NI's largest colony.

PDF attached illustrating the spinnings. I thought our report was on the web but unfotunately not!

Cheers
Dave