Argent and sable moth  (Rheumaptera hastata)

The Argent and Sable has suffered due to the decline in traditional management of woodlands such as coppicing. This has resulted in a decrease in young regenerating birch in rides and at the periphery of woodlands. Intensive sheep grazing on moorland has also affected birch regeneration (1).

The Species Action Plan aims to maintain all current populations with enhancement by the year 2010 (1). A number of populations occur within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and three key areas where the species is present have been targeted by The Forestry Commission's Coppice for Butterflies Challenge. Measures taken to conserve this species will be likely to aid other moth species that inhabit coppiced woodlands such as the Orange Upperwing (Jodia croceago), the Clay Fan-foot (Paracolax tristalis) and the Drab Looper (Minoa murinata) (1).