New Moth Species Discovered in Wales After 4,500-Mile Journey from South America
Two moths from a tropical jungle in Guyana have been discovered in a house in south Wales.
The moths, unknown to science, travelled over 4,500 miles in the boot bag of photographer Ashleigh Cadet, who had recently returned from a trip to the South American rainforest. The moths, which were in their larval stage when they hitched a ride, later emerged on a cold Welsh windowsill—an "improbable event" that scientists say "defies rational explanation."
Daisy Cadet, Ashleigh’s daughter and an ecologist, was the first to spot the moths. One moth was still alive, while the other had died, likely due to the cold winter temperatures in the house.
"I knew they were clearwings and assumed they were a UK species," she said. "Finding a new moth was exciting enough, but I had no idea it was so unusual."
New moth species named Carmenta brachyclados
Curious about their origins, Daisy posted photos on Instagram, which quickly made their way to moth experts at the Natural History Museum, Mark Sterling and David Lees.
After months of investigation, the museum confirmed that these were not just non-native moths—they were a brand-new species. Through DNA analysis, scientists named the moth Carmenta brachyclados, marking the first time this species had been recorded anywhere. The moths, which are only about 18mm long, are marked by transparent wings with black veins and iridescent blue and yellow stripes on their bodies.
Upon examining Ashleigh’s boot bag, the Cadets found cocoons and a small piece of vegetation believed to have protected the larvae during their journey. The humidity inside the bag likely helped them survive the harsh winter months in Wales.
Mark Sterling, a scientific associate at the Natural History Museum, explained how rare this discovery was: "Clearwing moths are notoriously difficult to find, even by professional entomologists. The improbability of two tropical moths surviving in Wales is extraordinary."
Daisy and Ashleigh were surprised by the turn of events but also felt a deep concern about the broader implications of climate change.
Daisy said, "We are incredibly lucky to make discoveries like this, but I also worry about how many species are being lost. Awareness isn't enough anymore—we need urgent action to protect what’s left."
