With one colony left in Yorkshire, the Dark Bordered Beauty moth is teetering on the edge of extinction in England. After a wildfire in May 2025 destroyed part of the moth’s breeding site it has never been more critical to expand the moth’s range to other areas.
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The Dark Bordered Beauty can now only be found on Strensall Common in Yorkshire, where its population continues to fall. Without urgent research and conservation work this incredible moth will face extinction in England. Climate change and overgrazing have significantly reduced the availability of the caterpillar foodplant, creeping willow. In addition, increasingly dry conditions have led to more frequent and severe wildfires, further degrading the habitat.
Strensall Common can no longer support the long-term survival of the Dark Bordered Beauty. The ideal solution for the species is to find new habitats and encourage the spread of the moth, to ensure the longevity of the species in England. Initial research has identified 20 potential sites that would provide the right habitat to host this iconic moth.
