A new species has been discovered in Wales, a long way from its original habitat in South America. The two clearwing moths were found in Port Talbot and have been identified as a previously unknown species to science. The insects are believed to have travelled over 4,500 miles from the rainforests of Guyana to Wales, possibly carried as larvae inside a travel bag belonging to a photographer. The discovery was made by ecologist Daisy Cadet and her mother Ashleigh, a professional photographer, who came across the moths on their windowsill three months after returning from a photography trip to Guyana.
The scientific community was left puzzled by this unusual find, describing it as an “improbable event” that defies rational explanation. Mark Sterling, a scientific associate at the Natural History Museum, remarked on the remarkable journey of these moths. Initially, Ms Cadet was unaware of the significance of her discovery until a follower on her Instagram pointed out that the moths did not match any known species in the UK. The images of the moths went viral and drew the attention of moth specialists from the Natural History Museum.
Through DNA analysis, it was confirmed that the moths were not only a non-UK species but also a new species to science. Further investigation led to the discovery of cocoon remains in Ashleigh’s boot bag from her trip to Guyana, where the larvae had likely travelled. The moths, named Carmenta brachyclados, have distinctive transparent wings with black veins and iridescent blue stripes on their bodies.
Researchers found a plant fragment inside the boot bag, indicating a possible protective environment for the larvae during travel. It is believed that the warm and humid conditions in the bag supported the larvae in surviving and developing into moths during the Welsh winter. The emergence of these tropical moths in Wales was deemed extraordinary by experts, considering the timing and location of their discovery.
Ms Cadet expressed a mix of emotions over the find, feeling fortunate yet concerned about the impact of climate change on biodiversity. She highlighted the importance of taking urgent action to protect the planet and its species. The discovery of the new moth species has been documented in the journal Nota Lepidopterologica, shedding light on the unique journey and adaptation of these insects from the jungles of South America to Wales.