|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
1 August 2005 Rare moths move into royal homes All Parks 
New biodiversity surveys of London Royal Parks have revealed that two species of moth, rare to London, are now known to be living in Bushy Park and Kensington Gardens.The rare Double Line Moth (Mythimna turca) was discovered in Bushy Park earlier this month and, the Twin-Spotted Wainscot Moth (Archanara geminipuncta), a flagship species for reedbed conservation in London, now inhabits the reeds of Kensington Gardens. Dr Nigel Reeve, Community Ecologist for the Royal Parks said that the discovery of the rare Double-line Moth at Bushy Park should be considered a major milestone. The Double-Line moth is identified as priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Outside the south-west of England and Wales, it has only been found in Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. "Bushy is a completely new site for this moth, which emphasises the national importance of the park's acid grassland habitat," Dr Reeve said. Over the years Royal Parks staff have made special efforts to create and maintain suitable habitats for rare and endangered species, including planting reed beds, which are great for water birds and insects, and extending areas of acid grassland, which are home to specialised insects as well as endangered ground nesting birds such as the skylarks. Parks in London have always been strongholds for biodiversity but this shows that with careful habitat management we can attract new inhabitants. The Royal Parks is an active contributor to the London Biodiversity Partnership, which aims to conserve important species and habitats across London. Source: The Royal Parks For further information contact: The Royal Parks Press Office T: 020 7298 2128 E: press@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Editor's notes: The Double-line moth (Mythimna turca) : The larva feeds on grasses in acid grassland, shaded by trees or bracken. It is a pinkish/rusty brown with two distinct darker lines across the forewings and can be found flying in July. It is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. The Twin-Spotted Wainscot moth (Archanara geminipuncta): A member of the reed-feeding wainscot moth family. Wainscots are so called because the pattern of veins on their wings looks like worn wood grain on wainscotting panels. It spends the winter as an egg, the caterpillar then feeds (head upwards) and pupates within the stem of common reeds. The adults fly from August to mid-September and typically have a distinctive pair of white spots on their forewings. This species is a Flagship species for the London Reed Bed Habitat Action Plan. Richmond Park is London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, a candidate European Special Area of Conservation and a Grade 1 Listed landscape. Species records for the Park include 49 grasses, rush and sedges; over 250 fungi; more than 1300 beetles; 546 butterflies and moths; 139 spiders; 144 birds; and 25 mammals. Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park. |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
 |
||||||||
