6:00pm Monday 15th March 2010
A project has been launched to preserve a rare plant –and stop the extinction of an even rarer moth.
The sea hog’s fennel is the only plant on the planet that caterpillars will munch on before they grow into rare Fisher’s estuarine moth.
Both plant and moth have formed a small stronghold on Skipper’s Island, in the Walton Backwaters, but conservation work is looking to extend their reach down the coast as far as Maldon.
The work has been highlighted as a success story in a report by Natural England about efforts to help endangered species.
Dr Zoe Ringwood, based at the conservation body’s Colchester office, is leading the efforts to help the moth by helping the plant.
The work involves Colchester Zoo, which is breeding the moth, and Tendring Council, which is helping to locate suitable spots for the plant. Dr Ringwood said after five years of providing “a helping hand” to both species, their prospects were “beginning to look brighter”.
She added: “Since the 15th century, Skipper’s Island and a couple of spots in north Kent have really been the last redoubt for the hog’s fennel and as a result, the moth.
“There are only 2,000 moths in the wild at most, but to go out to the island you wouldn’t think it was an endangered plant.
“The main issue is the plant is a very poor disperser because it breeds by rhizome growth rather than seed. It is very hardy and forms dense clumps, but it just doesn’t spread very far.
“It is also sensitive to salinity. The island is very low-lying and more and more of the plant’s habitat is being exposed to seawater each year.
“We’ve been doing habitat creation work for the last four years, working with farmers to create suitable sites near the coast and plant seedlings there.”
Hog’s fennel has been planted at 20 locations, including near Brightlingsea and Mersea Island, and the plant has begun to put down roots.
Moth eggs bred at the zoo are released once the plant is established and nature is left to follow its course.
Dr Ringwood said: “The plant seems to be doing well and, hopefully, that will benefit the moth.”
Dr Ringwood did her PhD at Writtle College on the moth and said it was “natural” to move into work to preserve it.
“I’ve been working on this moth for ten years and it’s nice to start to see it all coming together,” she said. “We’re really making a difference for these two species.”
Natural England’s report, Lost Life: England’s Lost and Threatened Species, identifies 500 species that have become extinct in the past 200 years.
In Essex, that includes the purple emperor butterfly, great bustard and dainty damselfly.
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