The discovery of a moth, believed extinct for over 50 years, in a couple’s garden has been hailed as a “phenomenal” find of national importance.
The Norfolk Snout moth, first recorded near Norwich during the Victorian era, had disappeared after its last sighting in 1971.
Thought to be extinct in the UK, it was recently rediscovered by moth enthusiast Dave Jones, who caught it in a light trap.
“It’s exciting that in a suburban garden in a small village you can capture a total rarity,” said Mr Jones, of Stoke Holy Cross, near Norwich.
“Among all the other moths [in a light trap] there’s always that chance you will get something unusual.”
Jones, who has since found more of the moths on nearby feed plants, was initially puzzled by the small, brown-beige insect with 10mm wings.
“It’s weird thing; it’s so docile and it’s got this snout that looks like a bog brush, and these amazing horns,” said Mr Jones, who has set traps for 14 years and had previously found a Scottish grass mot, its second recording in England.
“I looked it up and I said to my wife Pauline, I think we’ve got a moth that’s extinct,” said Mr Jones, “it’s not every day that happens.”
Assuming an identification app had made an error when it matched the moth to an extinct species, Jones shared photos with a group of local moth experts. Their excitement led to the confirmation of the moth’s identity later that day, verified by a specialist before it was released unharmed.
The Norfolk Snout’s caterpillar feeds on hoary mullein, a tall plant with yellow flowers that grows in the area.
“The following day I thought I would go and have a look [nearby], saw the plant and found them there,” said Mr Jones.
“To find something in your trap is one thing, it is exciting, but I was more over-the-moon to find it on the plant and possibly breeding – that was more of a buzz.”
James Lowen, a wildlife writer and member of the WhatsApp group, speculated that the moth may have gone undetected since its last sighting in Snettisham, Norfolk.
“It’s not much to look at, but when you look more closely its got a snout with these amazing horns on it, rather like the tusks of a warthog,” he said.
“Its not just the back story that make it so unusual, but its appearance, too.”
He added that overall moth numbers appear to be lower this year, potentially due to a wet spring affecting populations.
“It makes seeing this even more special,” he added.
“It is very heartening but the overall balance sheet for moths is that we have lost 120 [species of] moths in the last 100 years.
“This is of national importance; it’s phenomenal.”
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