Donegal Moths Ralph and Liz Sheppard took time out to describe the numerous species of moths to be found in the Noth West. Listen to the BBC Radio Foyle report.
"Donegal Moths is a small team of enthusiasts trying to get a picture of the status of our native moth species. On our website we have photos of almost 400 species, and maps showing where each species occurs in the county. Moths are just as beautiful as butterflies, but far more numerous and diverse. Yet they are largely unknown and unseen - until caught in the traps which we set at night. In the morning we record and photograph them, before releasing them unharmed. Moths are food for bats, their larvae are food for birds, and in general they contribute significantly to the health of our environment.
Already the information we have collected has provided evidence of the spread of global warming, and we hope that in the long run it will make conservation projects more effective."
