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| Fisher’s Estuarine Moth Breeding Programme |
Mission: To provide a readily available supply of Fisher’s Estuarine Moths for introduction at newly-created sites to ensure the long-term survival of this species.Location:Colchester Zoo, Essex Support started: April 2008 Background: The Fisher’s Estuarine Moth is a British species of high conservation priority; it is legally protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, is listed within the British Red Data Book and is the subject of an Essex BAP. The moth has a very restricted UK distribution and its main stronghold is the Walton Backwaters area of the North Essex coast. Here it is found within low-lying areas of coastal grassland that support the threatened Hog’s Fennel; its sole caterpillar food plant. The main sites where the moth is found are at risk of inundation by the sea and it is predicted that this threat will become ever more severe as a consequence of sea-level rise. Following extensive conservation work, twenty three new Hog’s Fennel sites have been created within the vicinity of the north Essex coast. When habitat conditions are suitable, it will be necessary to establish Fisher’s Estuarine Moths at these newly-created sites. The species tends to be very sedentary, so it is unlikely that it will readily colonise new sites naturally. Naturally occurring populations are also relatively small and vulnerable and cannot be relied upon as donor sites to provide stock for the introductions. Colchester Zoo has set up a captive breeding programme, with the help of Tendring District Council and Natural England, to provide a readily available supply of Fisher’s Estuarine Moths for introduction at newly-created sites. This is essential in ensuring the success and sustainability of the conservation programme for the species. Breeding nets were established at Colchester Zoo and for the past two years, a breeding programme has been established. Adult moths emerge in September and Colchester Zoo’s keepers ensure that pairs are mixed for mating. Resulting eggs are then used for the following captive breeding programme and any additional eggs are released into the newly created sites. Achievements: 2009 was a successful year for the moths. In March/April, 56 caterpillars hatched and our reptile keepers put 2 caterpillars into each breeding net. In September 2009, we had 34 adult moths emerge; 18 females and 16 males. These adults were mixed by our keepers to form unrelated pairs, of which we had 15 pairs in total. 10 of these pairs were successful in laying eggs and some females laid several times, making the total number of egg batches up to 20. This 2009 season was an improvement on 2008, when we had just 10 batches of eggs laid. The cycle begins again in spring, with our keepers checking each day for caterpillars hatching. Any additional batches of eggs will also be returned to newly-created sites to help the conservation programme. Future objectives: For 2010, Colchester Zoo is working to construct permanent breeding cages for the programme at Colchester Zoo. This will ensure the sustainability of this programme for the next ten years. Action for the Wild will be donating to this programme, coupled with funds received from the Environment Agency, Natural England and Essex Biodiversity Project, to help establish these permanent enclosures. Website: http://www.colchester-zoo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=content.list§ion=5&page=33 Fishers Estuarine Moth picture © Micky Andrews |
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No. 1105621 Trustees A C Downing, S D Knuckey, L J Spurgeon, P R Johnson