The black-veined moth, a critically-endangered species native to the east Kent countryside, has experienced a resurgence in population following habitat restoration efforts by local farmers.
Nearly extinct in 1995 due to habitat loss in the Wye National Nature Reserve, this moth saw a remarkable recovery this year with surveys recording a peak of 255 individuals, the highest count since the restoration project’s inception.
Natural England initiated the project, which encouraged farmers to restore fields to their natural state. The black-veined moth’s survival depends on a unique combination of tall grass tufts and short wildflowers within the same field, distinguishing it from other chalk grassland insects. This success highlights farmers’ significant contributions to nature recovery and their collaborative efforts to establish large-scale wildflower grasslands.
Black-veined moth sees bumper year after rewilding efforts – BBC News