Rare Conformist moth comes to light

THE first Scottish record of a rare moth has been made on a Highland nature reserve.

It is only the second recording in the UK of the Conformist since the Second World War.

The moth was discovered at the RSPB's Insh Marshes nature reserve in Strathspey in a light-trap that was operated by visiting entomologists from England.

The Strathspey moth was only the 13th British record of subspecies furcifera and only the second since 1946. The other was April 2007 in Northumberland.

RSPB warden Pete Moore said: "Insh Marshes is a tremendous place for rare insects. Last year, we were surprised to discover a colony of the dark bordered beauty moth on the reserve. Currently, we are running a project to increase the numbers of another very rare insect - the aspen hoverfly."