Moth populations in the UK have declined significantly due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution, and the welfare and ecological importance of this largely overlooked group deserves greater attention.
The welfare status of moths, as lepidoptera with relatively simple nervous systems, remains uncertain, though their capacity for nociception warrants precautionary consideration. More importantly, the ecological welfare of the communities that depend on moths - including bats, nocturnal birds, hedgehogs, and many plants requiring moth pollination - is directly affected by moth population decline. Gardens and rural landscapes managed for moths through native planting, reduction of pesticide use, and lighting management provide refuge habitat that supports both moth welfare and the wider ecological web.