Butterfly spotters report surge in numbers for exotic-looking moth

THE public is being encouraged to look out for the exotic-looking species of Jersey Tiger moths that have been surging in numbers.

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Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation said the day-flying moths appear to be doing well as people record butterflies they see for its annual butterfly count.

The initiative, which takes place over three weeks in summer and is currently under way until August 10, gets members of the public to spend 15 minutes recording those they see in their garden, parks or country side.

This year, the charity is urging people to take part in what it describes it as a “nationwide rescue mission” for the UK's ailing butterfly species.

As the count reached its midway point, Butterfly Conservation said people have recorded seeing 5,300 Jersey Tiger moths, compared with a total of 3,496 for the whole of last summer's count. This marks a 78% rise from 2024 when measured as an average per county, with the increase attributed to the warm, dry conditions, which likely helped the species spread their wings in abundance and settle in parts of the UK they usually would not.