UK Invertebrates

Six-spot Burnet Moth Welfare and Chalk Grassland Conservation

Six-spot burnet moths are day-flying moths of chalk and limestone grassland that have declined with the loss of flower-rich grassland across southern England. They are important pollinators and indicators of grassland quality.

Key Facts

Six-spot burnet moths are day-flying and associated with flower-rich chalk and limestone grassland
They require birds-foot trefoil as larval food plant
The species is declining with the loss of traditionally managed chalk grassland
Good populations persist where grassland is managed through grazing or cutting
They are important pollinators for knapweed, thistles, and other downland flowers

Welfare Considerations

Six-spot burnet populations in degraded grassland face larval food plant scarcity and reduced adult nectar sources. The welfare of individual moths in declining habitats is uncertain but the loss of diverse, flower-rich grassland eliminates the ecological conditions that support healthy populations. Conservation of chalk grassland through appropriate grazing directly maintains the welfare conditions for this and many other specialist invertebrates.

What You Can Do

Support National Trust and Wildlife Trust chalk grassland restoration programs
Donate to Butterfly Conservation grassland invertebrate monitoring
Advocate for agri-environment payments for chalk grassland management
Visit and support downland nature reserves through Wildlife Trust membership
Plant birds-foot trefoil in gardens as a larval food plant for burnet moths