Moths-The Forgotten Pollinators

While bees and buterflies are our best-known pollinators and receive much attention there are other pollinators that don't get enough credit for their assistance with pollination. Moths, in particular, are mainly nocturnal so often get overlooked as pollinators, but they are a critical part of the network of pollinators and an essential part of the pollination process and food web. Unfortunately, like many other instect species, moth species are in serious decline due to habitat loss and pesticide use.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield found that moths under pressure from urbanisation, may also be less resilient than bees, due to their more complex life cycle and more specific plant requirements. The study also revealed that despite this threat, moths play a crucial role in supporting urban plant communities, accounting for a third of all pollination in flowering plants, crops and trees. Another study by researchers at the University of Sussex has revealed that while moths account for around 15% of pollination compared to bees (80%), they are more efficient, working harder during the short nights of summer.

The 4Bs Butterfly Count quite rightly focused attention on butterflies but our moths and other pollinating insects should not be overlooked. The Big Butterfly survey included a number of daytime flying moths - Silver Y, 6 Spot Burnett and Jersey Tiger and all these species were recognised across the 4Bs. In particular, the 6 Spot Burnett is abundant in the chalk grasslands of Box Hill.

​But what of the nocuturnal moths? In 2023 ecologist Josh Brown undertook a night-survey of moths in Betchworth as part of the B-Line project. During a single night of moth trapping he collected over 60 species of macro and micro moth, some of which are pictured below. The moths are fairly typical of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats but also included  some which favour the chalky grassland/scrub habitat. For example, the Mocha (pictured right), which is nationally scarce, and has a distribution restricted to southern England, roughly following the Cretaceous greensand soils characteristic of the North and South Downs. It is hoped that with continued monitoring of moth populations, the number of species recorded will increase significantly and provide a useful indicator of the health of the wildflower-rich habitats within the 4Bs..

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Below- Some of the moths collected during the night survey in Betchworth
Top Left to right: angle shades, brimstone, burnished brass.
Bottom Left to right: Feathered gothic, light emerald, large yellow underwing.