Lancashire Branch Anania Funebris (White-spotted Sable Moth) Survey
This year, Butterfly Conservation will be undertaking an extensive survey of Anania Funebris (White-spotted Sable Moth)
Lancashire branch
Species to look out for
Welcome
Welcome to the Lancashire Branch of Butterfly Conservation. The Lancashire Branch covers the counties of Lancashire, Northern Greater Manchester and Liverpool.
If you live in the region and are a member of Butterfly Conservation you automatically become a member of the Lancashire branch.
Events
Lancashire “Save our Butterflies Week” Event
An opportunity to see the fantastic work carried out, during the winter months by our wonderful bunch of volunteers, to help save a raft of rare butterfly and moth species during Save Our Butterflies Week.
Lancashire Opening of Moth Trap
Moths trapped overnight on the reserve and nearby will be on show, no pre-booking required.
Reserve
Myers Allotment, Lancashire
Report
Lancashire Recording Report
Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside Butterfly and Moth Recording Report 2011
Latest Sightings in Lancashire
View or report your own butterfly sightings in the Lancashire region
Latest News
Sixty per cent of UK species in decline, groundbreaking study finds
UK nature is in trouble – that is the conclusion of a groundbreaking report published today by a coalition of leading conservation and research organisations.
UK Wildlife Is In Real Trouble
By Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive, Dr Martin Warren
European pollinator and plant declines slow, but British butterflies still plummeting
Wildlife declines are depressingly familiar in Britain and across the world. However, a new study, published this week in the international scientific journal Ecology Letters, provides some much needed good news.
Lancashire Branch Anania Funebris (White-spotted Sable Moth) Survey
1 April - 30 June 2013
Branch wide
This year, Butterfly Conservation will be undertaking an extensive survey of Anania funebris – a UK Conservation priority species - within the Morecambe Bay area, which Graham Jones will be coordinating.
At present, knowledge of the distribution and abundance of Anania funebris is patchy at best, particularly in areas away from the Arnside and Silverdale AONB. And a more robust dataset is sorely needed to help us determine the current status of funebris within the Morecambe Bay area.
Results obtained from this survey will also be used as a baseline to assess if current woodland management work, aimed primarily at threated fritillary butterflies, is also benefiting species such as funebris. As well as determining the direction of any future conservation work aimed at funebris.
Those interested in taking part can help in two ways –
1. By letting me know of any Anania funebris you record this year, ideally as soon as possible after the sighting so that further surveys can be undertaken if needed.
2. Agreeing to undertake a specific survey for funebris at a particular site throughout April, May and June. Survey work should not be too onerous and should only involve a 1-2 hour walk, on a weekly/fortnightly basis.
An Anania funebris ‘crib-sheet’ will be available to help with identification for those who are keen to submit casual records, which is aimed particularly at butterfly transect recorders. And identification and survey workshops will be advertised shortly for all those interested in taking part.
Anania funebris is a colourful, day-flying moth that will fly prominently in sunny weather. So please don’t be put off in getting involved by thinking that you may not have the necessary expertise. This is most definitely a project that anyone who has an interest in watching butterflies and day-flying moths can make a very positive contribution towards!
To submit records, request a crib-sheet, or to volunteer for a survey area my contact details are –
Graham Jones
Email: gjones@butterfly-conservation.org
Phone: 07583 209231 / 01772 617 221
