Pine-tree lappet moth now found breeding in Scottish forests

摘要

A population of pine-tree lappet moths has been found breeding in Scottish woodlands. Forestry investigators and moth experts investigating the status of the population after small numbers of male moths were found have now discovered a number of larvae and a cocoon, indicating that the species is breeding. Pine-tree lappets had not previously been recorded in Scotland, so the species might be a previously undiscovered resident, or a recent arrival. It had previously only been recorded in the United Kingdom from a handful of sightings over several decades of individual males in southern England. These are believed to have been migrants from Europe.