Current status
The New Forest burnet inhabits relatively long grassland where its larvae feed on meadow vetchling and bird's-foot trefoil. When discovered in 1963 the site in western Argyll was only lightly grazed and the moths were widespread. However, the area became heavily grazed, and no New Forest burnet moths were found at the site between 1986 and 1989. It was thought that the population could be extinct. However, the moth was rediscovered in 1990 on a single ledge where the vegetation had been inaccessible to sheep during the preceding period of heavy sheep grazing. Fences were erected in 1991, and since then the vegetation has begun to recover and the moth is beginning to recolonise the bulk of the site.
In Europe Z. viciae is found from the northern Iberian Peninsula to southern Scandinavia. Its range extends eastwards into the Balkans, northern Iran, the Caucasus, and into Russia as far as eastern Siberia. Scattered populations also occur in Mongolia and central Asia. It was first found in Britain in 1869 in the New Forest. The populations in the New Forest represented a distinct subspecies, Z. viciae ytenensis, but the last specimen was caught in 1927 and no more colonies have been found since. The New Forest burnet was thought to be extinct in the British Isles until it was discovered at a single site in western Argyll, in 1963. This isolated population represents a second distinct endemic subspecies: Z. viciae argyllensis. Since 1963 several other apparently suitable sites have been surveyed in western Argyll but the moth has not been found away from the original site.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Endangered. It is given full protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Accidental sheep grazing.
Isolation of the single colony.
Collecting of adults or larvae.
Current action
The site is within an SSSI notified, in part, for its Lepidoptera. The requirements of the New Forest burnet are included in an SNH management agreement with the owner.
The site was fenced by NCC (Scotland) in 1991 to exclude sheep. Additional fencing and repairs have been carried out since then.
The New Forest burnet is included in the SNH Species Action Programme .
The known colony is monitored annually, and the extent of the larval foodplant on the site is also mapped annually.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the population size at the known site.
Enhance the population size at the known site to a target population of over 250 adults by 2010.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
None proposed.
Site safeguard and management
Maintain the condition of the fence to permit exclusion or managed grazing by domestic herbivores under the management agreement. (ACTION: SNH)
Where possible, increase the available habitat at the known site. (ACTION: SNH)
Species management and protection
Continue to take account of the New Forest burnet in the SSSI management agreement. (ACTION: SNH)
Enforce current legislation in cases of collecting. (ACTION: Police authorities, SNH)
Advisory
Maintain liaison with the owners and managers of the estate. (ACTION: SNH)
Future Research and Monitoring
Re-sample the vegetation and analyse any changes every 3-5 years using the results to inform management of the site. (ACTION: SNH)
Continue to monitor the moth population annually using the results to inform management of the site. (ACTION: SNH)
Undertake surveys to clarify the distribution of this species. (ACTION: SNH)
Conduct targeted autecological research to inform habitat management. (ACTION: SNH)
Encourage research on the ecology and conservation of this species at an international level, and use the experience gained towards its conservation in the UK. (ACTION: SNH, JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
Where it is consistent with maintaining site confidentiality, promote opportunites for the appreciation of the New Forest burnet moth, and the measures being taken to conserve it. (ACTION: 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, p407)