Current status
The narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth occurs on a wide range of unimproved grasslands, including wet, acidic grassland and chalk downland; it is also found on acid bogs, peat cuttings and drier heathland. The larval foodplant is devil`s-bit scabious. The adult moth requires a supply of nectar but visits various flower species.
Formerly widespread in the UK, the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth has declined severely and now appears to have retreated to western Britain, especially south-west England from Cornwall to Wiltshire. There are also scattered records from west Wales, the west coast of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and a single colony on a nature reserve in Yorkshire. The moth occurs locally across the western Palaearctic, with records from virtually every country in Europe. It reaches Lapland in the north, Iran to the south, extends eastwards into China, and has been reported from Morocco.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Nationally Scarce.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Agricultural improvement of unimproved grassland and heathland.
Inappropriate management of grassland, heathland and bogs.
Current action
Some of the remaining localities are within existing SSSIs/ASSIs, nature reserves or MoD land, and many are now covered by agri-environment schemes.
Several grassland areas supporting populations of the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth have been proposed as candidate SACs.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all known sites.
Restore populations of the moth to 10 suitable sites within its former range by 2010.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Where appropriate, include the requirements of the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth when drawing up or revising prescriptions for agri-environment schemes. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, EHS, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, ensure that all occupied habitat is appropriately managed by 2005, for example through SSSI/ASSI or agri-environment scheme management agreements. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, EHS, NE, MAFF, MoD, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Encourage an increase in the available habitat and attempt to link up existing fragments of habitat. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, EHS, NE, MAFF, MoD, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Ensure that the habitat requirements of this species are taken account of in relevant development policies, plans and proposals. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, LAs, SNH)
Ensure that the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSIs/ASSIs. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Species management and protection
Consider reintroducing populations to a series of sites within the former range, if necessary to restore 10 new populations within the former range by 2010. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers about the presence of this species and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, EHS, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
As far as possible, ensure that all relevant agri-environment project officers and members of regional agri-environment consultation groups are advised of locations of this species, its importance, and the management needed for its conservation. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, EHS, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Future Research and Monitoring
Undertake surveys to determine the current distribution and status of the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Conduct targeted autecological research to inform habitat management. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Establish a regular monitoring programme for this species. It will be important to monitor the effects of habitat management for this moth. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, MoD, SNH)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to a central database for inclusion in national and international databases. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Promote opportunities for the appreciation of the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth and the conservation issues associated with its habitat. This should be achieved through articles within appropriate journals, as well as by a publicity leaflet. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume IV: Invertebrates (March 1999, Tranche 2, Vol IV, p343)