Environment

Habitat Creation for a Rare Micro Moth

The Basil Thyme Case Bearer Moth is extremely rare and is only found in a small handful of sites in Norfolk. The moth’s intricate survival is complicated by its host plant having equally exacting habitat requirements. Staff at Bodney Camp are taking measures to not only ensure its survival but help expand the colony.

The Stanford Training Area at DTE East is the largest and most important site for the Basil Thyme plant and the Basil Thyme Case Bearer in the UK. Maintaining the right conditions for the plants upon which this moth relies and the managing the correct balance between the different plant species is challenging.

On an annual basis, Landmarc undertake a forage harvesting and tree sapling removal operation on an area in Old Bodney Camp. It is not sufficient just to cut the vegetation and leave it as this will lead to a build up of nutrients favouring more vigorous species so all the vegetation cut has to be taken away. Additional work is carried out to scrape away coarse grasses and soil at Thorpe Great Heath to allow the Basil Thyme plant to re-colonise with the intention of expanding the population of both the plant and the moth.