Current status
This moth has a localised distribution throughout Europe. In the UK it is restricted to 11 sites in Cumbria, where it has declined substantially since 1980, and to two small colonies in north-west Wales. The sole larval food plant, touch-me-not or yellow balsam (
Impatiens noli-tangere), is also found naturally only in these areas. The plant occurs in
wet woodland, by streams, seepages and lakesides. Both food plant and moth undergo great population fluctuations.
The moth is listed as Vulnerable in the GB Red List.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Increased shade in woodland through canopy closure, resulting in the loss of food plants.
Road-widening and maintenance, and alteration to local hydrology.
Current action
In England, this moth is the subject of a three year Species Recovery Programme project (1994-96) run by NE, The National Trust, Butterfly Conservation and Lancaster University, to determine optimum habitat management.
All populations of the food plant in north west Wales were surveyed in 1994 and larval monitoring was initiated.
Action plan objectives and targets
Increase the number of moth populations to a minimum of 5 colonies in each core area by 2005
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Encourage sympathetic woodland management where the moth is present. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FA)
Seek to ensure that road works do not affect colonies of the food plant. (ACTION: LAs)
Site safeguard and management
Consider notifying SSSIs to include all known colonies. (ACTION: NE, CCW)
Continue to develop and promote appropriate management of sites by liaison with land owners and managers. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Consider habitat restoration within the dispersal range of existing colonies to increasing the current range of the moth in the UK to its recorded optimum, by 2005. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FA)
Species management and protection
Continue to encourage growth of the food plant colonies. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Advisory
Ensure land owners and managers are aware of the presence and importance of conserving the species, and appropriate methods of management for its conservation. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Undertake research into the long-term population dynamics of the species, effects of habitat management and dispersal abilities of the moth. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Undertake a systematic survey of potential habitats to locate any previously unknown or new colonies of the food plant. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Encourage regular monitoring of extant sites. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Communications and Publicity
Produce an illustrated leaflet on the current status and requirements of the moth. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Eustroma reticulata:
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p138)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species