Moths and butterflies

Moths and butterflies are vital pollinators, but data from 2024 shows that their numbers have declined dramatically.

Devon supports around 1398 moth species!

The heath fritillary is one of the UK’s most threatened butterflies and found on the edge of Dartmoor.

What we need to do and where
Narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth getting nectar from a bluebell

Narrow bordered bee hawk-moth, Barry Henwood

Oat lutestring, Barry Henwood

Orange high brown fritillary on some tiny pink-purple flowers

High brown fritillary, Adrian Colston

1. About

Moths and butterflies bring beauty and balance to the natural world. While butterflies are often celebrated for their bright colours and elegant flight, moths are just as fascinating with their intricate patterns and unique behaviours. Both play a vital role in pollination and are an essential food source for birds, bats and other wildlife.   

However, moths and butterflies are in decline and urgent action is needed. Since 1976, 80% of butterfly species in the UK have decreased in either abundance, distribution or both. And in the last 50 years, over two-thirds of common and widespread macro moths have declined.

Moths and butterflies are found in a wide range of Devon’s habitats, from shady woodlands to sunny limestone grasslands, but all need certain things: 

  • Flower-rich habitats: Adult moths and butterflies feed on nectar produced by flowers so depend on habitats with a wide range of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. 
  • Long grass: Grasses provide food and shelter for many moths and butterflies throughout the year, so uncut grass is vital for their survival.
  • Caterpillar foodplants: Some species require a specific foodplant, and if this is rare then the moth or butterfly will be too. For example, white admiral caterpillars feed on honeysuckle in woodlands while the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth feeds on devil’s bit scabious, found in flower rich acidic wet grasslands. The common garden butterflies peacock and small tortoiseshell only feed on nettles.
  • Shelter: Moths and butterflies overwinter in various stages of their life-cycle depending upon the species. This may be in sheltered spots such as grass tussocks, scrub, trees, buildings and soil. Some caterpillars burrow into soil to pupate while others attach themselves to plants. A few species, such as the silver-studded blue, are taken by ants into their nests where they secrete sugars for the ants and in return receive protection.
  • Connectivity: A network of connected flower-rich habitats (meadows, hedgerow corridors, woodlands and gardens) is critical as populations that live in isolated habitats are far more likely to die out. Different species travel different distances to find habitats. For example, wood whites are weak fliers and need continuous habitat or gaps of no more than 500 metres while the high brown fritillary is a strong flier and can travel long distances.

1,398 of the UK’s 2,500 breeding moth species and 39 of the UK’s butterfly species are found in Devon. For those listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern see the spreadsheet. Devon Special Species are discussed below.

Key pressures and opportunities

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We are in a butterfly and moth emergency

Data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme shows that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK and more than half of butterfly species are now in long-term decline. Butterflies and moths are sounding the alarm for nature and we must take action now.

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Habitat loss and lack of connectivity

Habitat across Devon has been lost and fragmented as a result of land use such as intensive farming, forestry, urban development and infrastructure schemes. Lack of management of existing habitats, or changes to their management, can cause loss of specific caterpillar food plants, nectar sources and overwintering sites. Many moths and butterflies now live in isolated sites where populations can’t survive. 

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Climate change

Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and seasonal changes disrupt butterfly life cycles, reduce foodplant availability and alter habitats. However, climate change also brings new species into Devon, such as clifden nonpareil (Catocala fraxini), white point (Mythimna albipuncta) and Jersey mocha (Cyclophora ruficiliaria).

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Pesticides

Herbicides reduce nectar sources and caterpillar foodplants while insecticides affect both caterpillars and adults. There are huge opportunities for all sectors to reduce the use of pesticides.

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Lighting

Light pollution is a particular threat to moths which are largely nocturnal.

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Research and monitoring

Lack of understanding of the life history of moths and butterflies, along with lack of survey and monitoring, is a problem for the conservation of species. A few examples include lack of understanding of the life life history of little ghost (Ischnoscia borreonella) and the need to survey for white-headed detritus moth (Infurcitinea albicomella) as it may be extinct. A list of research needs relating to the actions can be developed when we move into the delivery phase of the LNRS. However a few known needs are

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Funding and projects

There are opportunities to use funding such as agri-environment schemes to restore and manage habitats for moths and butterflies and connect them through grassy field margins, hedgerows and stream corridors. There are several large conservation projects across Devon that focus on butterflies. See Inspiration below.

2. What we need to do and where

Priority

Increase the abundance and distribution of moths and butterflies across Devon, especially those listed as Devon Special Species.

See Find out more for links to more detailed information on this group including management advice and records.

Devon Special Species

Beige and orange small pearl-bordered fritillary on a yellow flower

Bracken and violet fritillary butterflies

Read more

All three of these Devon Special Species rely on wet grassland as breeding habitat as well as bracken and violet dominated areas. Violets are the caterpillar foodplant and bracken provides shelter and safe places to overwinter. 

Orange and black patterned pearl-bordered fritillary

Pearl-bordered fritillary

Boloria euphrosyne

Pearl-bordered fritillaries are one of the earliest of the three Devon Special Species to emerge in the spring flying from late April into May. They’re very sedentary and some will only fly around 100m, although they can colonise new habitat up to around 500m distant. Well connected habitat is important, and young trees and even low growing scrub can be a barrier to dispersal. Caterpillars feed on common dog-violet.

In Devon, they’re mainly found on the moorland fringes and woodland edges of eastern Dartmoor, although smaller colonies survive at Torrington Common, Marsland DWT Reserve, and Lydford Butterfly Conservation Reserve. They’ve disappeared from former sites like Roborough Common and Ashclyst Forest, reflecting a significant national decline – around 90% since the 1970s.

Beige and orange small pearl-bordered fritillary on a yellow flower

Small pearl-bordered fritillary

Boloria selene

The small pearl-bordered fritillary is a fast-flying butterfly which can be seen during May and June. They are widespread across Devon but in significant decline. They typically travel 1–2 km, although will go as far as 5 km, so are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

In Devon, they’re found in two distinct habitats, acid grasslands with bracken where the larvae feed on common dog-violet, and wet grassland habitats where they feed on marsh violets. They are found on the south Devon coast, wet Rhos pastures of Dartmoor, north Devon culm, wet heaths in the Pebblebeds and wetland mosaics in Haldon and the Blackdown Hills.

Orange high brown fritillary on some tiny pink-purple flowers

High brown fritillary

Fabriciana adippe

The high brown fritillary is a large, fast-flying butterfly with striking orange and black wings that can be seen soaring above bracken and low vegetation in woodland clearings and moorland/woodland edge habitats. It flies in June and July. Caterpillars feed on common dog-violet.

The high brown fritillary is a strong mobile butterfly which is known to fly 1-2km to reach good habitat.  With good weather conditions it could possibly colonise new habitat 10-15km away. 

The British population has undergone a massive decline and this is Britain’s most endangered butterfly.  It is now only found at Morecombe Bay, Dartmoor, Exmoor and one site in Wales.  It’s range in Devon has contracted and it’s now confined to two areas on Dartmoor (eight sites in the Dart Valley and four in the Walkham Valley) and Exmoor (nine sites in the Heddon Valley.  There have been occasional sightings at Haytor and Trendlebere on Dartmoor, and historically the butterfly was recorded in the Teign Valley. These areas are a priority for habitat restoration.

Actions

Manage and restore a network of large bracken and violet rich habitats connected by flower rich corridors and stepping stones for fritillary butterflies.

  • Explore the potential to re-introduce high-brown fritillaries to previous sites such as the Teign Valley.   
  • Extend existing habitats and create new breeding habitats, taking into account dispersal distances (see above).
  • Provide networks of flower-rich corridors (hedgerows, field margins and along watercourses) to increase connectivity and stepping stones to help species disperse.
  • Plant violets in areas with potential for restoration
  • Bracken and scrub management may be required, and light grazing in summer and late winter to create disturbance in  bracken stands

Where to focus action

Pearl-bordered and high brown fritillaries

High Opportunity Areas: Ancient and other broadleaved woodland and heathlands, acid grasslands. Actions should be guided by the Species Opportunity Areas mapped for pearl-bordered and high brown fritillaries as these show where action is most needed to restore and link populations. See Mapping.

Small pearl-bordered fritillary

  • High Opportunity Areas: Dartmoor Rhos Pastures, North Devon Culm, Pebblebed Heaths, Haldon Heaths, East Devon Spring-Line Mires. This species is widespread and no Species Opportunity Area has been mapped. See Mapping.
A male Heath Fritillary, coloured orange and black, in June at Halse Combe, Exmoor

Heath fritillary

Melitaea athalia
Read more

The heath fritillary is one of the rarest and most threatened butterflies in the UK. Between 1981 and 2019 its population declined by 90% and today it’s in danger of extinction.   

Heath fritillaries generally like sunny, warm, sheltered woodland glades with lots of common cow-wheat, the caterpillars’ main foodplant. They typically fly 1-2 km to new sites, although under the right conditions some may travel up to 5 km. Therefore they depend on stepping stones of suitable habitat.

They’re only found in a few sites in Kent, Essex, Somerset (Exmoor) and one site in Devon, a Butterfly Conservation reserve near Lydford where heath fritillaries were reintroduced in 2006, having gone extinct in the Tamar Valley due to habitat loss.  They’re found in the reserve’s open coppice woodland and nearby species-rich grasslands, where the caterpillars feed on ribwort plantain and germander speedwell. There have also been occasional sightings in the adjacent Forestry Commission woodlands. However, in 2024 only six individuals were recorded.

Actions

Manage and restore woodlands and grasslands to provide sunny areas with common cow-wheat and other foodplants for heath fritillary.

  • Create and maintain open, sunny habitat with abundant common cow-wheat, ribwort plantain and germander speedwell. Lightly graze and control scrub in grasslands. Coppice woodlands and maintain wide sunny glades and scrubby edges in both broadleaved and conifer woodlands. 
  • Provide networks of flower-rich corridors (hedgerows, field margins and along watercourses) to increase connectivity and stepping stones to help species disperse.
  • Monitor adult populations through transect walks

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Woody mosaics and wildlife-rich grasslands. Actions should be prioritised to the Species Opportunity Area mapped for heath fritillary which focuses on the Lydford reserve and surrounding area. See Mapping.

Moths of Dartmoor broadleaved woodlands

Read more

Dartmoor’s broadleaved woodlands support a group of rare moths which rely on microhabitats such as leaf litter, dead wood, oak leaves and fungi. The species in this group mainly have their strongholds in woodlands on the southern, eastern and south west fringes of Dartmoor. Sites such as East Dartmoor Woodlands NNR and Hembury Woods are especially important. 

These moths are often found in microhabitats such as dead leaves and under bark on dead wood.

Devon Species of Conservation Concern in this group include:

  • Banded goldenrod straw (Phalonidia curvistrigana) – Caterpillars feed on the flowers and seeds of goldenrod. Recorded in south east Dartmoor woodlands, Hope’s Nose in Torbay, and Great Torrington.
  • The coppice beauty (Olethreutes arcuella) – Caterpillars feed on dead leaves on the ground in Hembury Woods and other woodlands in east Dartmoor.
  • Triangle (Heterogenea asella) – Caterpillars feed mainly on pedunculate oak and beech. Recorded in SW Dartmoor woodlands and Great Torrington.
  • The lead-coloured pug (Eupithecia plumbeolata) – Recorded around the fringes of east, southern and west Dartmoor as well as west Exmoor. Caterpillars feed on common cow-wheat
  • The blotched emerald (Comibaena bajularia) – Feeds on pedunculate and sessile oak. More widespread than some other species but declining and largely found in Dartmoor woodlands.
  • The silver-streaked beauty (Schiffermuelleria grandis) – A very rare micro moth which thrives in humid woodlands where the caterpillars feed on decaying wood found under the bark.  It is currently found in the Teign Valley.
  • Beautiful bark moth (Oecophora bractella) – Relies on dead wood and possibly fungi with records from Hembury Woods and southern Dartmoor.  This is a rare micromoth restricted to a few ancient woodlands in the midlands, south Wales and southern England. 
  • Oak lutestring (Cymatophorina diluta) – Endangered and declining, feeds on oak and is found in Hembury Woods and other Dartmoor sites.

The Devon dot has been listed as a Devon Special Species in its own right:

Devon dot

Ectoedemia heckfordi

This species was discovered in 2004 in Hembury Woods. Since then it has also been recorded in the Dart Valley Chudleigh Knighton Heath and Fingle Bridge. It hasn’t been found anywhere else in the UK.

The distinctive bright green caterpillars can be seen from August to early September in their distinctive blotch mines (the tiny tunnels or cavities inside a leaf that are made by feeding caterpillars) on oak leaves.

Actions

  • Manage, expand and link Dartmoor broadleaved woodlands for rare moths with microhabitats such as dead wood, fungi and leaf litter.  See Broadleaved woodlands for more actions.
  • Survey and monitor populations by searching for caterpillars on the foodplant.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Ancient and other broadleaved woodland (existing) and Woody habitat expansion areas across Dartmoor. See Mapping. 

Heathland moths and butterflies group

Read more

Devon’s heathland mosaics support a group of rare moths and butterflies. Some rely on species such as heather, gorse and broom. Others however have very particular microhabitat requirements which are not always recognised when carrying out habitat management for other more well known species. Devon Species of Conservation Concern which make up this group include:

Moths

  • Neglected rustic (Xestia castanea) – a declining species which is dependent on heather. Found across the Pebblebed heaths and the eastern and SW fringes of Dartmoor.
  • Grass wave (Perconia strigillaria) – caterpillars feed on heathers and broom. Found on the Pebblebed heaths and a few areas on the east Dartmoor fringes.
  • Sandhill leaf-miner (Phyllonorycter quinqueguttella) – found mainly on the Pebblebed heaths but also east Dartmoor fringes and Braunton Burrows. Caterpillars feed on creeping willow. 
  • Small grass emerald (Chlorissa viridata) – now only found on heathland in the south of England. The main caterpillar foodplants are heather and birch but also gorse and creeping willow.  Recorded on the Pebblebed heaths, eastern fringes of Dartmoor and at Beaford Moor.

Butterflies

  • Silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus) – add
  • Grayling (Hipparchia semele) – add

Actions

Manage and restore heathland mosaics through grazing and other management as required to provide heathers, scattered scrub and microhabitats for rare moths and butterflies.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Pebblebed Heaths, Bovey Basin Heaths and Haldon Heaths. See Mapping. 

Marsh fritillary with wings spread out, on a blade of grass

The Marsh Fritillary group

Read more

 Four Devon Special Species are found in Devon’s wet acid grasslands.

Marsh fritillary with wings spread out, on a blade of grass

Marsh fritillary

Euphydryas aurini

The marsh fritillary is one of the UK’s most threatened butterflies, having suffered severe declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation. In Devon it’s found in species-rich wet acid grasslands where the caterpillars’ foodplant, devil’s-bit scabious, grows.

Adults lay eggs in clusters of up to 200 on a single leaf. The caterpillars weave distinctive silk webs which act as communal nests. Marsh fritillaries are thought to need habitat patches no more than 500m apart, but are known to use small patches of habitat as stepping stones to move between larger breeding sites. Isolated populations rarely survive.

Dartmoor is Devon’s stronghold, with four core populations: Tor Valley, Fernworthy-Long Lane, Postbridge-West Webburn and Walkham Valley. In north Devon there are three core populations centred around Volehouse Moor in the north-west, Knowstone and Rackenford Moor and Witheridge Moor in the north-east.

There are also two smaller populations. ‘There are also two smaller populations. One close to Cookworthy Forest, centred around Luckcroft and Common Moor and the other in the Blackdown Hills mires.

Narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth getting nectar from a bluebell

Narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth

Hemaris tityus

The caterpillars of this moth also feed on devil’s-bit scabious and in Devon the two species are largely found in the same habitats. However, the hawk-moth isn’t currently found in the Blackdown Hills and is restricted to Rhôs pastures on Dartmoor and culm grasslands in north-west Devon. Once widely recorded over much of Britain, it has disappeared from most of its historical range.

Outstretched moth, sandy coloured and very soft texture with deeper brown marks on a green leaf

Dingy mocha

Cyclophora pendularia

The caterpillars of this nationally rare moth feed on eared willow, which grows in open sunny areas such as north Devon’s culm grasslands. It’s rarely found in areas with spring and summer grazing. In Devon, the most recent records are from culm grassland at Hollow Moor, near Holsworthy.

Beige and orange small pearl-bordered fritillary on a yellow flower

Small pearl-bordered fritillary

Boloria selene

See the bracken and violet butterflies group for more information.

Actions

Manage (through light grazing and scrub control) and create a network of wet acid grasslands and heath with scattered scrub and devil’s-bit scabious connected by flower-rich corridors and stepping stones.

  • Lightly graze wet acid grasslands with hardy cattle or ponies (not sheep) in late spring and summer to create an open, varied and tussocky sward structure (between 5cm and 20cm) suitable for devil’s-bit scabious and scattered scrub (~ 10%). Clear scrub where needed. Plant devil’s-bit scabious where needed. Controlled burning can be effective to restore sites dominated by Molinia tussocks.
  • Restore as much connected habitat as possible within 5km of known populations (see above for locations).
  • Provide networks of flower-rich corridors (hedgerows, field margins and along watercourses) to increase connectivity and stepping stones to help species disperse. Avoid tree planting which could block connectivity between breeding populations.
  • Survey: Survey and monitor marsh fritillary populations by counting caterpillar webs in August. Survey and monitor adult butterflies and moths on sunny days in May and June when the adults are active.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas:

  • Heath, mire and species-rich rush pasture mosaics: Dartmoor Rhos Pastures, North Devon Culm, East Devon Spring-Line Mires.
  • Upland heath, bog and mire mosaics: Dartmoor Moorland
  • Actions should be guided by the Species Opportunity Areas mapped for this group. These show where action is most needed to restore and link populations. Note that the only recent records of dingy mocha are from Hollow Moor near Holsworthy in the North Devon Culm. See Mapping.
Delicate white butterfly on a blade of grass

Wood white

Leptidea sinapis
Read more

The wood white is one of the UK’s lightest and smallest butterfly species. It lives in shaded and sheltered habitats with tall grassland or light shrub. Caterpillars feed on vetches, including bitter vetch, tufted vetch, common birds-foot trefoil and greater birds-foot trefoil. Adults breed twice a year, flying in May or June and August.

In Devon, the largest populations are found in scrubby grasslands on the east Devon coast, Meeth Quarry in north Devon and Cookworthy Forest. The wood white typically stays in small, interconnected habitats, only flying 1 to 3 km and preferring woodland clearings.

Actions

Manage and create connected networks of woodland clearings, scrub, grasslands, hedge corridors and riparian corridors for wood whites by providing vetches (the caterpillar foodplant) and dappled shade.

  • Provide networks of flower-rich corridors (hedgerows, field margins and along watercourses) to increase connectivity and stepping stones to help species disperse.
  • Use light grazing or rotational scrub clearance (as appropriate) to manage and create mosaics of shady areas (scrub, woodland edge, hedges) and grasslands with vetches. 
  • In woodlands, create mosaics of open sunny areas and shady edges through coppicing or rotational cutting of clearings and scrub edges. 
  • Comprehensive surveying was carried out in 2018 and 2023 at Cookworthy Forest complex and should be repeated at least every five years.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Woody mosaics and Wildlife-rich grassland mosaics.

Actions should be guided by the two Species Opportunity Areas mapped for wood whites. One is focused on the east Devon coast and the other aims to link the Cookworthy and Meeth populations. See Mapping. 

Brown hairstreak

Thecla betulae
Read more

Devon’s hedgerows and scrub provide essential habitat and connectivity for butterflies and moths. Species such as lackey and lappet moths (both Devon Species of Conservation Concern) would have once been more common across Devon’s farmed landscapes feeding largely on hawthorn and blackthorn.

The brown hairstreak is considered one of the most elusive butterflies in the UK. Adults are rarely seen as they spend most of their time high in trees. They come down to lay eggs on young blackthorn leaves, often on warm south-facing hedges or scrub (so usually below 250 metres). Their UK population has declined significantly due to the loss of hedgerows and annual flailing. 

Devon is considered a stronghold and while they’re thought to be across the county more survey is needed. However, populations are known to be in the Blackdowns, Torbay and mid-Devon. The most effective monitoring method is counting eggs from late October to early March, when they can be seen on young twigs.  

Actions

Manage and create a network of wildlife-rich hedges, scrub and woodland edge for brown hairstreak butterflies (avoid annual trimming, cut on rotation, ensure plenty of blackthorn).

  • Avoid annual trimming of hedges and woodland edges, particularly to protect brown hairstreak eggs. Where possible cut every 3-5 years in January or February. Cut hedges on rotation so that no more than one third are cut each year. Lay or coppice hedges on rotation. 
  • Restore and create new hedges with plenty of blackthorn, especially on an east to west alignment to create a warm sunny side for egg laying. Link existing hedges and woodlands to increase connectivity. 
  • Plant blackthorn (or allow it to grow naturally) in urban landscaping schemes and in parks and gardens to increase habitat and connectivity.
  • Large ash trees, and occasionally oaks, are used as congregation points where brown hairstreaks assemble to find a mate. Where possible, retain prominent ash trees within hedge or woodland boundaries.  
  • Survey: Carry out egg counts from late October to early March, when blackthorn is free of leaves and eggs can be spotted on young twigs. Due to the specialist knowledge and search effort required, it’s likely that this butterfly is under-recorded.

Where to focus action

  • All hedges and woodlands across lowland Devon. 

Torbay limestone moth group

Read more

The rich biodiversity of Torbay’s coastal limestone grasslands provides an ideal environment for a distinctive range of moth species that thrive in the wildflower-rich habitats typical of these well-drained soils.   Three species are listed as Devon Special Species in their own right. Two are discussed below. The beautiful gothic (Leucochlaena oditis) is found in a few other areas along the south coast and is discussed in the north and south coast invertebrates group.

Two other Devon Species of Conservation Concern are an important part of this group:

  • Little ghost (Ischnoscia borreonella) – Only recorded at Petit Tor Point and Berry Head in Devon and Portland in Dorset. Very little is known about this rare moth.
  • Scarce moss moth (Bryotropha dryadella) – Recorded in three sites in Devon in Torquay, Berry Head and Hartland on the north Devon coast. Elsewhere it is known from Cornwall, Essex and Kent. It is very difficult to identify. Caterpillars feed on the moss Ctenidium molluscum.
  • Banded goldenrod straw (Phalonidia curvistrigana) – Caterpillars feed on the flowers and seeds of goldenrod. Recorded in south east Dartmoor woodlands, Hope’s Nose in Torbay, and Great Torrington.

Goldilocks case-bearer

Coleophoral linosyridella

This was first recorded at Berry Head in 2013. Caterpillars are dependent on their foodplant, goldilocks aster (see Torbay limestone plants). The only other known UK sites are on the Thames estuary in Kent and Essex, where it feeds on sea aster.

White-headed detritus moth

Infurcitinea albicomella

In Britain this micromoth has only been recorded in Torbay this century. It was commonly found in a small area of the Torquay coast, where the caterpillars fed on dead leaves of the small-leaved cotoneaster and evergreen oak. However, between 2008-2011 the small-leaved cotoneaster was sprayed with herbicide and the moth was last recorded in July 2011. It has not been seen since and could be extinct.

Actions

Manage and create a network of flower-rich Torbay limestone grasslands for rare moths ensuring that microhabitat requirements are met including caterpillar foodplants.

  • Consider maintaining areas of species such as cotoneaster and evergreen oak for species such as the white-headed detritus moth. See wildlife-rich grassland and Torbay limestone plants for more details on the Torbay limestone grasslands.
  • Survey by looking for caterpillars in leaf litter and other debris to assess populations and habitats. 

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Area: Torbay Limestone Coastal Wildbelt. See Mapping.

Orange and sandy striped/patterned moth with a beige-brown head, standing on a leaf

Sand dune moths

Read more

See northern Devon sand dune invertebrates page for details.

Morris's waisncot moth (white-grey coloured) on a bed of straw

Morris's wainscot and other east coast moths and butterflies

Read more

To read more please go to the Sidmouth to Dorset coastal invertebrate group page. 

Sandy coloured devonshire wainscot moth with dark brown/black streaks

Devonshire wainscot and other coastal moths

Read more

To read more please go to the North and south coast invertebrate group page.

Actions for all moths and butterflies

Habitat management and creation

We’re in a butterfly and moth emergency. To end this we need everyone, everywhere, to take action and provide a wide range of flowering plants, uncut grass, scrub and trees.

Moths and butterflies are found in the majority of habitats across Devon and will benefit from the actions set out on the Habitat pages.

Anyone who is managing or creating habitat for rare moths and butterflies should be aware of their needs. For more detailed information see the list of Devon Species of Conservation Concern and Find out more below.

Join the Devon Moth Group or the Devon branch of Butterfly Conservation to help save moths and butterflies in the county.

Survey to check for presence/abundance of the butterfly, and supply data to Butterfly Conservation

Seek management advice from Butterfly Conservation for site specific interventions 

3. Inspiration

Consultation: Please share any case studies to include here (especially moths).

Case studies

There’s lots of great work going on across Devon for moths and butterflies. For example:

West Devon Butterfly Habitat project

A range of partners including Butterfly Conservation, Natural England, Walreddon Estates and the Forestry Commission are working together on the West Devon Butterfly Habitat project. The project is funded by Devon Environment Foundation and aims to share best practice to benefit a range of species, in particular the heath fritillary and high brown fritillary.

A male Heath Fritillary, coloured orange and black, in June at Halse Combe, Exmoor

Devon Wildlife Trust Fritillary Recovery project

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has received funding from Natural England’s Species Recovery programme for a fritillary recovery project. The project will restore and re-create habitat for the marsh fritillary, pearl-bordered fritillary, small pearl-bordered fritillary and high brown fritillary across 12 of DWT’s reserves.

Marsh fritillary with wings spread out, on a blade of grass

Where to visit

Always follow the Countryside Code and keep to footpaths and sites that are managed for public access. 

Good places to see moths and butterflies are:

Sites which are accessible to the public and good places to see moths and butterflies include all of the South West Coast Path, especially Berry Head and the east Devon undercliffs around Branscombe.

Devon Wildlife Trust sites include Meeth Quarry for wood whites and Dunsdon for marsh fritillaries and small pearl-bordered fritillaries.

To be added during consultation.

For information on visiting these and other sites that are open to the public please see the Explore Devon website.

4. Find out more

The Devon Moth Group website has a wealth of information including phenology charts and distribution maps for all species. The maps show distribution, rather than abundance.

The web page of the Devon branch of Butterfly Conservation has lots of information on the county’s butterflies, including how to report sightings.

Butterfly Conservation’s website has loads of information on butterflies and moths including details of campaigns, surveys and habitat management.

The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 Report has information on the national decline in butterflies.

The State of Britain’s Larger Moths 2021 report has information on the UK’s decline in moths.

Devon Wildlife Trust has information on where to spot wildlife in Devon, including on its own reserves.

The Habitat Group’s White Spot Moth Conservation Project is growing the nottingham catchfly plant in an effort to increase white spot moth populations.

The East Devon National Landscape has a project to help the brown hairstreak butterfly.

A great video on how to find white admiral larvae, produced by Peter Eeles.

Photo credits
  • Pearl-bordered fritillary – Jim Asher
  • Small pearl-bordered fritillary – Adrian Colston
  • High brown fritillary – Adrian Colston
  • Heath fritillary – Matthew Oates, National Trust Images
  • Oak lutestring – Barry Henwood
  • Small grass emerald – Barry Henwood
  • Marsh fritillary – Matthew Oates, National Trust Images
  • Narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth – Barry Henwood
  • Dingy mocha – Barry Henwood
  • Wood white – Peter Eeles
  • Brown hairstreak – Dave Wicken
  • Goldilocks case bearer – Bob Heckford and Stella Beavan
  • White-headed detritus moth –
  • Morris’ wainscot – Barry Henwood
  • Devonshire wainscot – Barry Henwood
  • Pancalia schwarzella – Stella Beavan and Bob Heckford

Devon Species of Conservation Concern list

All moths and butterflies found on the Devon Species of Conservation Concern list:

BOLD if it’s a Devon Special Species, * for Devon Special Group.

  • Adonis Blue – Polyommatus bellargus
  • Banded goldenrod straw – Phalonidia curvistrigana *
  • Barret’s Marbled Coronet – Conisania andalusica *
  • Beautiful bark moth – Oecophora bractella *
  • Beautiful Gothic – Leucochlaena oditis
  • Black-banded – Polymixis xanthomista *
  • Blotched Emerald – Comibaena bajularia *
  • Brown Hairstreak – Thecla betulae
  • Chalk Hill Blue – Polyommatus coridon
  • Cinnabar – Tyria jacobaeae
  • Coast straw – Gynnidomorpha permixtana *
  • Colt’s-foot miner – Scrobipalpula tussilaginis *
  • Coppice beauty – Olethreutes arcuella *
  • Cornish snout – Nothris congressariella
  • Dark Green Fritillary – Speyeria aglaja
  • Devon Dot – Ectoedemia heckfordi
  • Devonshire Wainscot moth – Leucania putrescens
  • Dingy Mocha – Cyclophora pendularia
  • Dingy Skipper – Erynnis tages
  • Dingy White Plume – Merrifieldia baliodactylus *
  • Everlasting-pea blister moth – Leucoptera lathyrifoliella
  • Garden Tiger – Arctia caja *
  • Goat Moth – Cossus cossus *
  • Gold edged pigmy – Stigmella auromarginella *
  • Goldilocks Case-bearer – Coleophora linosyridella
  • Grass Wave – Perconia strigillaria *
  • Grayling – Hipparchia semele *
  • Grizzled Skipper – Pyrgus malvae
  • Heath Fritillary – Melitaea athalia
  • High Brown Fritillary – Fabriciana adippe
  • Lackey – Malacosoma neustria
  • Lappet – Gastropacha quercifolia
  • Lead-coloured Pug – Eupithecia plumbeolata *
  • Little ghost – Ischnoscia borreonella *
  • Marsh Fritillary – Euphydryas aurinia
  • Mere Wainscot – Photedes fluxa *
  • Morris’s Wainscot moth – Photedes morrisii
  • Narrow-bordered Bee hawk-moth – Hemaris tityus
  • Neglected Rustic – Xestia castanea *
  • Oak Lutestring – Cymatophorina diluta *
  • Pearl-bordered Fritillary – Boloria euphrosyne
  • Red-tipped Clearwing – Synanthedon formicaeformis *
  • Rolled Grass-moth – Pediasia contaminella *
  • Saltern grass-moth – Pediasia aridella *
  • Sand Dart – Agrotis ripae *
  • Sandhill knot horn – Anerastia lotella *
  • Sandhill leaf-miner – Phyllonorycter quinqueguttella *
  • Scarce Blackneck – Lygephila craccae
  • Scarce moss-moth – Bryotropha dryadella *
  • Scarce violet beauty – Pancalia schwarzella *
  • Sea spurge tortrix – Acroclita subsequana *
  • Shore knot-horn – Gymnancyla canella *
  • Shore Wainscot – Mythimna litoralis *
  • Silver-streaked beauty – Schiffermuelleria grandis *
  • Silver-studded Blue – Plebejus argus *
  • Silverweed borer – Monochroa elongella *
  • Small Blue – Cupido minimus
  • Small Grass Emerald – Chlorissa viridata *
  • Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary – Boloria selene
  • Thrift Clearwing – Pyropteron muscaeformis *
  • Triangle – Heterogenea asella *
  • Wall – Lasiommata megera
  • White Admiral – Limenitis camilla
  • White Colon – Sideridis turbida *
  • White Spot moth – Hadena albimacula
  • White-headed detritus moth – Infurcitinea albicomella
  • White-letter Hairstreak – Satyrium w-album
  • Wight pea moth – Grapholita gemiferana
  • Wood White butterfly – Leptididea sinapis

To see all Devon Species of Conservation Concern, please follow the link at the top of the species page.

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