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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

In 1952, one of England’s rarest moths was last recorded at a Northumberland estate; more than 70 years later, conservationists returned after the landscape was restored and found a hidden population within 10 minutes

Conservationists restoring habitat at a historic estate in Northumberland have rediscovered a hidden population of one of England's rarest insects, finding the species just 10 minutes into a survey at a site where it had not been recorded for more than 70 years. Dr Dave Wainwright, a senior conservation scientist with Butterfly Conservation, found a breeding colony of the dark bordered beauty moth (Epione vespertaria) at the National Trust's Wallington Estate near Morpeth. The day-flying moth is known for its distinctive custard and chocolate-coloured wings. It was last recorded at Wallington in 1952 before disappearing from local records. As reported by ITV News in August 2026, the discovery could provide a vital boost for a species that was at serious risk of disappearing from England.

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