EUROPE: A rare brightly coloured moth has been recorded on the island of Tiree for the first time .
Although six-spot burnet moths are common in much of England, Wales and Ireland they more thinly distributed across Scotland.
A team of conservationists from RSPB Scotland carrying out insect survey work on the island in the Inner Hebrides came across the moth.
Six-spot burnets are dark blue-black with a metallic sheen, have six bright red spots on their forewings and completely red hind wings.
James Silvey of RSPB Scotland said: “Six-spot burnets are found in the Outer Hebrides and in some coastal areas of Scotland so it’s exciting that we’ve seen one on Tiree.
“They’re about during the summer between June and August and are attracted to a range of flowers including thistles.”
John Bowler, RSPB Scotland’s Tiree officer, said: “Tiree has an amazing array of wildlife, including lots of insects.
“Over the summer, nine species of bumblebees buzz about the flowers, butterflies such as meadow browns and common blues flit about, and both black and highland darter dragonflies can be seen on the wetlands. I’ll now be keeping my eye out for six-spot burnets.”
