The Narrowed-bordered Bee Hawk-moth looks exactly as its name suggests.
It looks part bee and part moth.
And it’s one of the rarest moths to fly in Wales.
But this summer, the charity Butterfly Conservation reports the species has been spotted in Brecon Beacons National Park for the first time in 100 years.
It’s been a great year for the Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth in Wales!
The day-flying bumblebee-mimic was found in four new locations, including one site in the Brecon Beacons, where it’s not been seen for 100 years https://t.co/QmwPXqIiQO #MothsMatter pic.twitter.com/rFLQ44h8el
— Butterfly Conservation (@savebutterflies) August 30, 2019
George Tordoff, senior conservation officer for Butterfly Conservation Wales, said a warm summer in 2018, followed by a good spring created ideal conditions for the moth to flourish.
“This moth was once widely recorded in the UK, but has undergone a substantial decline over recent decades, so it’s heartening to see it having such a good year in Wales,” he said in a statement.
One of Wales’ rarest moths has been seen in the Brecon Beacons National Park for the first time in 100 years: https://t.co/oajTdF4fSh
— BirdGuides (@BirdGuides) September 15, 2019
The Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was previously found on 12 sites across Wales.
Four new sites have been recording sightings this year including Cwm Cadlan National Nature Reserve in the Brecon Beacons.
It has also been seen at two new locations in Carmarthenshire, including Pembrey Forest and near Pontyberem.
And, another confirmed sighting at Lavernock Point in Glamorgan this summer was the first in the area since 1935.

It is a day-flying moth.
And it has a “distinctive bumblebee-mimic,” according to Butterfly Conservation.

Conservationists hope the moth will be able to reestablish itself in the region.
“The moth shares the same habitat as the Marsh Fritillary butterfly and Butterfly Conservation has been doing lots of work to restore marshy grasslands for this species in Wales and other parts of the UK,” Tordoff added. “So hopefully this will help the Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth turn the corner and start to spread again.”
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth returns to Brecon Beacons after 100-year absence – @savebutterflies https://t.co/WDYFvCvWBG pic.twitter.com/mzDhIyzAkh
— CJS News (@CountrysideNews) September 2, 2019
It’s a long name for a cool little moth.
— Kirsty Nicol (@KirstyNicol1) September 5, 2019
Main photo Butterfly Conservation