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3 minutes

Rare Glen Affric moth records best year since monitoring began

A rare moth found almost exclusively in Glen Affric is enjoying its most successful year on record, according to new monitoring and survey results.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is working with Butterfly Conservation and the latest surveys show that the Affric Twitcher (Choreutis diana), one of the UK's scarcest moth species, reached its highest recorded abundance in 2026, while its known distribution across Glen Affric continued to expand significantly.

Butterfly Conservation staff and volunteers recorded 111 larval spinnings across monitoring transects, the highest total since monitoring began in 2021.

In addition, targeted surveys around Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin identified the moth in eight new 1km squares, increasing its known distribution by 40 per cent in a single season. Combined with survey work undertaken in 2025, the species' known range has now doubled since 2024..

Forestry and Land Scotland Environment Forester Shona Amos said:

"These results are hugely encouraging and demonstrate the importance of long-term monitoring and careful land management. The Affric Twitcher is one of Scotland's most elusive moths, so seeing both population and distribution faring well is very encouraging.

"Our forests support a remarkable range of wildlife, and findings like this show why understanding and protecting that biodiversity is so important. Continued deer management and ongoing non-native plant species removal is supporting birch regeneration providing important habitat for many species, including the Affric Twitcher moth."

Patrick Cook from Butterfly Conservation said:

“The Affric Twitcher depends on native birch woodland, where its larvae feed on leaves and create distinctive canoe-shaped silken shelters known as spinnings. These latest surveys are helping us build a much clearer picture of where the moth occurs and what it needs to thrive.

“The results suggest that Glen Affric continues to provide high-quality habitat for the species, with all three monitoring sites recording strong numbers in 2026. The fact that its known range has doubled over the past two years, thanks to increased survey efforts, is an exciting development and underlines the importance of continued partnership working between conservation organisations and land managers.

“This year local recorder Mike Taylor also counted 43 adult moths across a two-day visit, the highest ever recorded numbers on a visit in Glen Affric, showing what a good year the species had.”

The new discoveries mean the Affric Twitcher has now been recorded in 28 separate 1km squares with the moth found on both the north and south sides of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin.

FLS will continue to work closely with conservation partners with the latest survey findings helping to inform future management of forests ensuring important habitat features are considered when works are planned.

Notes to editors

  1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
  2. Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot