This week the University of Warwick hosted its first moth survey event. The survey is part of National Moth Week and found ten varieties of moths live on campus. The survey attendees were able to learn more about these creatures, why they are so important to the ecosystem and what they can tell us about climate change.

Katherine Mayfield, Sustainability Champion at the University of Warwick, said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve found ten species of moths – it means we have a good foundation to build on and I’m optimistic that we can attract other moths onto campus. Surveys tell us a lot about the habitats we have on campus and are a key part of our Ecology and Biodiversity Plan. If we find a wide variety of moth species, it’s a sign of a healthy habitat According to Butterfly Conservation, the number of moths in the UK has decreased by almost 30% since the 1960s, with more than 60 species becoming extinct during the 20^th century.

“Moths are an integral part of the environment, and it’s often forgotten that they play a part when it comes to pollination and natural pest control. In addition to this, moths are an important food item for many species, including amphibians, bats, and birds. Blue tits are thought to eat around 50 billion moths per year.”

Teaching Fellow in German Studies, Dr Dan Hall ran the survey in collaboration with the University’s Energy and Sustainability team. He added: “There are a lot of cultural barriers when it comes to moths, and we wanted to use this opportunity to showcase how important they are to our ecosystem. By surveying the campus, we can learn more about species present and what we can do to enhance spaces for moths, and the various other species that rely on them.”

The moth survey involved light traps being set up overnight to catch, identify and learn more about the types of moths found on campus.

The ten species of moths found so far at Warwick are:

· Dun-bar

· Willow Beauty

· Common Rustic agg

· Uncertain/Rustic agg

· Smoky Wainscot

· Flame Shoulder

· Common Footman

· Maple Pug

· Garden Grass-Veneer

· Barred Marble