Welcome to the marvellous world of moths. Join us as we celebrate the unsung heroes of the insect world!

 

Moths are a crucial part of the ecosystem. They pollinate, they don't just flit around at night - they are part of the food chain. They are also an early-warning signal of negative ecological effects. When their numbers drop - the ecosystem is in trouble.

#MothsMatter

 

 

 

Barred Tooth-striped Moth

Crucial to a healthy environment

Moths are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. Areas that are rich in moths are also rich in other invertebrates.

They are an important element of the food chain and are prey for a wide range of birds, bats and other insectivorous animals. For example, in Britain and Ireland, Blue Tits eat an estimated 50 billion caterpillars each year.

Eyed Hawk-moth

An important component of a rich biodiversity

Moths are intrinsically valuable and are worthy of conservation in their own right, part of life on earth and an important component of its rich biodiversity.

It is estimated that they have been around for at least 50 million years and likely first evolved some 200 million years ago!

Sir David Attenborough

Why Sir David Attenborough loves moths!

"We hear a lot about the threats to conspicuous and charismatic animals such as birds and mammals, but far less about the insects that make up over half of all the species known to science and which play a vital role in the functioning of the world’s ecosystems"

#MothsMatter Booklet
Download the Moths Matter Guide Now

Sign up to receive your free #MothsMatter guide to helping our wonderful moths thrive!

Moths Matter! Moths are crucial parts of the ecosystem. They pollinate, they don’t just flit around at night – they are part of the food chain. They are also an early warning signal as to negative ecological effects – when their numbers drop the ecosystem is in trouble. We need to look after them (like changing our artificial lights at night).

Sign up today and receive your #MothsMatter guide to find out how you can help this wonderful insect thrive!

Download the Moths Matter Guide Now

Chinese Character (Iain H Leach)

12 Magnificent Moth Facts

The weird and wonderful world of moths is full of fascinating facts that many people don’t know! Gone are the days they were regarded as the dull runner up to the butterfly! They are spectacular and wonderful in their own right. Here are 12 magnificent moth facts that show you how amazing these creatures are.

Read now

Light at the end of the tunnel

What Butterfly Conservation does to save moths

Moths have experienced worrying declines over the past 40 years with several species even becoming extinct in the UK. Sadly, the numbers of many species continue to decline, and it may start feel like there is nothing that can be done… but this is abundantly not true - not on our watch. Butterfly Conservation works across the disciplines of conservation, research science, recording, and education, all of which help prevent moth species from further declines, and even extinction.

Read now

White-spotted Sable Moth

Meet our 'MothMaticians': George Tordoff

As you can imagine, our moth scientists are a very knowledgeable and interesting group of people. For MothsMatter 2022 we interviewed George Tordoff, one of our resident moth experts on his role at Butterfly Conservation and chatted with him about why #mothsmatter so much to him.

Read now

Top Moth Traps

Humming-bird Hawk-moth

60 Second Lesson - Open an NHBS Moth Trap

#MothsMatter Booklet
Download the Moths Matter Guide Now

Sign up to receive your free #MothsMatter guide to helping our wonderful moths thrive!

Moths Matter! Moths are crucial parts of the ecosystem. They pollinate, they don’t just flit around at night – they are part of the food chain. They are also an early warning signal as to negative ecological effects – when their numbers drop the ecosystem is in trouble. We need to look after them (like changing our artificial lights at night).

Sign up today and receive your #MothsMatter guide to find out how you can help this wonderful insect thrive!

Download the Moths Matter Guide Now

What you can do to help moths...

All About Moths - Leaflet

Inspire the next generation

Become a mothmatician!

(Mothmatician - Our new and favourite word for a moth champion!)

Moths need everyone, of all ages, to help preserve their habitat, and we would love your help to educate the next generation about the vital role they play in nature.

Download our 'All About Moths' guide, created specifically for children, containing easy-to-digest information that will help inform younger nature lovers about how they can help these beautiful insects.

Moth

Download a 'How To Start Mothing' guide

Start mothing!

Moths far outnumber butterflies and are much more varied. Learning about the many species in your own area is a fascinating and enjoyable hobby. Moths have also received far less attention than butterflies and, as a result, less is known about them and where they occur. This means that the information you collect about your local moths can make a real contribution to knowledge and can directly help conservation.

All Aflutter Newsletter

Sign up to All Aflutter

Keep up to date!

Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter 'All Aflutter' packed full of helpful guidance, the latest information and inspiration activies from Butterfly Conservation and our fantastic community of butterfly and moth enthusiasts.

December moth

Get clued-up on fascinating Winter Moth facts

Learn about Winter Moths!

Most insects in the UK take a break in the winter months. Unlike mammals and birds they can't easily heat themselves up, and their sources of food from plants dwindle. But a few hardy butterflies and moths can be seen during this time, with some moths only appearing as adults during the months when few other insects are on the wing.


Get mothy with us on social, tag us if you've got any questions that you'd like answering by our moth experts!

#MothsMatter | @SaveButterflies