Wormwood Moonshiner Project

Having not been seen in the UK since 1942, the endangered Wormwood Moonshiner was rediscovered in 1993 at Wangford in West Suffolk. Recent records suggest that the species is restricted to a handful of sites across Breckland, however, some of these populations are now thought to be lost. One site, that was considered a hotspot for the species, hasn’t supported the Wormwood Moonshiner for several years.

The species has highly specialized habitat requirements, preferring heathland or sand dune environments. It has long been closely associated with the Field Wormwood (Artemisia campestris) plant, itself Endangered and with a stronghold in the Brecks.

What will the project do? 

Working with site managers and volunteers, we will establish a long-term monitoring programme for the Wormwood Moonshiner across the three known populations and their sites.

Another key area of interest for this project will be understanding the use of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) by the Wormwood Moonshiner. As a more common wildflower species in the surrounding landscape, Yarrow could provide an alternative food source and therefore help us to create a map of areas to survey for potentially overlooked populations and sites that could support the Wormwood Moonshiner in the future.

By the end of the project we hope to develop a resource of local volunteers that can continue to survey and monitor the Moonshiners population, both on established sites and on new suitable sites in the Brecklands.

How can you support the project? 

Volunteers can get involved in the surveying and monitoring of the species at known locations. It is vital that ongoing monitoring is carried out so that a better understanding of the species ecology and habitat management is obtained. Please contact Conservation Officer, Paul Cawsey, for more information at [email protected].