Wildlife

Wild Moth Decline UK Conservation

UK moth populations have declined significantly, with welfare and ecosystem service implications for individual moths and dependent predators.

Key Facts

Two thirds of common moth species have declined in abundance in the past 40 years
Light pollution disrupts moth navigation, feeding, and reproduction significantly
Moth larvae provide essential caterpillar food for blue tit and other bird chick rearing
Native tree planting particularly oak supports diverse moth larval communities

Welfare Considerations

Moth population decline means fewer individuals completing successful life cycles. Caterpillar starvation of nestling birds dependent on peak caterpillar abundance is an indirect welfare consequence. Light pollution causes individual moth disorientation and mortality around artificial lights.

What You Can Do

Switch outdoor lights to motion sensors or red-spectrum LEDs
Plant native trees especially oak to support moth larval diversity
Participate in Garden Moth Scheme citizen science recording