Rare moth rediscovery prompts call to protect species in Northamptonshire
The moth has been missing from county records for more than eight decades
Last updated 9th Feb 2026
Northamptonshire residents are being urged to take steps to protect moths and prevent the loss of more species, spurred by the recent rediscovery of a rare Hollyhock Seed Moth last documented locally in the 1940s.
Last summer, final‑year Biological Sciences student Jamie Waller carried out her dissertation research at Delapré Abbey, using ethical trap‑and‑release methods to survey moth species and examine how temperature, weather and seasonal changes influence their populations.
Reflecting on her discovery, Jamie highlighted the need to create local environments where moths can thrive, and stressed the importance of community‑led efforts to prevent vulnerable species from being lost. Jamie explained:
''I think the biggest thing that threatens moths and butterflies at the minute is habitat degradation.
They're losing a lot of their suitable habitat and for the habitat specialist species, that's really detrimental because they can't necessarily just move along somewhere else.''
She added that moths are often overlooked because butterflies tend to attract more attention and are seen as more appealing, with many of us being more inclined to protect butterflies and other eye-catching insects,.
"Increasing awareness and appreciation for moths, which can be just as colourful as butterflies, is vital.'' She said.
Jamie emphasised that even small actions by the local community can make a meaningful difference to the conservation of these often‑misunderstood insects, helping them continue to thrive.
"Planting flower species that open at night would be a big help. Night-blooming flowers support moths, allowing them to thrive and carry out essential pollination."
Taking those practical steps further, she suggested that residents build simple moth traps to see which species are present and learn more about their needs. Jamie said: ''There's loads of tutorials online on how to build your own moth traps.
''You don't need loads of fancy equipment, it's really simple and humane.''
Jamie highlighted common misconceptions about moths, such as their perceived nuisance in the home. She stressed that addressing these myths can help with better appreciation and understanding of moths' ecological roles she explained:
“The most common thing people say is about moths eating clothes, but the truth is that only a very small number of species actually do that.
"By dispelling myths around moths and understanding their role in the ecosystem, we can better protect these species."
Jamie also believes that improving education around the importance of moth conservation is crucial for building interest and securing community support for efforts to protect local moth populations
“Prioritising habitat restoration and identifying which species are struggling, then finding out what plants they rely on, is vital so we can improve their habitat and help them survive.”