At one time, the Barberry carpet moth was restricted to a single hedgerow in Suffolk. Previously found in hedgerows throughout England and Wales, the moths live and feed on the Barberry plant which was identified as being an intermediate host for the wheat rust fungus affecting agricultural crops. As a result, the plant was extensively eliminated, thereby threatening the Barberry carpet moth with extinction. In an attempt to increase numbers, Whipsnade has been heavily involved in a project, in conjunction with English Nature, to breed the species in captivity, and then to release them into the wild. Approximately 100 larvae were produced in spring 2000, and these pupated to emerge as moths in July.
Moths are also invaluable pollinators.
We're working hard at Whipsnade to ensure that the humble moth doesn't become a species of the past.