A RARE moth which was first discovered in Sussex but has been absent for decades has returned thanks to wildlife experts' efforts.

The Sussex Emerald moth is very rare in the UK and was first discovered near Eastbourne 70 years ago.

There are several records of the insect in the Beachy Head and Eastbourne areas prior to the 1950s, but since then it was only been an occasional immigrant to the county.

But it seems the rare green moth, which has a distinct red and white chequered pattern along the fringe of its wings, has settled in the county once again, and in time for Sussex Day today.

The Argus: The first larva of a Sussex Emerald Moth ever found in the county this monthThe first larva of a Sussex Emerald Moth ever found in the county this month

Moth experts Sean Clancy and Rebecca Levey were delighted to discover two well-grown larvae of the Sussex Emerald on wild carrot plants in a grassy area at Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Rye Harbour Nature Reserve last week.

It is the first time caterpillars of the Sussex Emerald Moth have ever been found in the county, and is proof the moth is breeding in Sussex.

Before 2019, there had only ever been two sightings of the moth at the nature reserve, with two spotted on dates in July 2010.

Sussex Wildlife Trust said the Sussex Emerald has been restricted to the disturbed shingle habitats at Dungeness in Kent for years, and efforts have been made at the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to replicate its breeding habitats in Kent.

The Argus: The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, where the Sussex Emerald Moth was found to be breedingThe Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, where the Sussex Emerald Moth was found to be breeding

Dr Barry Yates, Reserves Manager at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, said: "It’s great to confirm that this rare moth is now breeding in Sussex for the first time and just in time for Sussex Day.

"Extensive areas of wild carrot was encouraged on land at Rye Harbour, which is part of the Environment Agency’s sea defence improvement and saltmarsh re-creation projects of 2005 and 2011.

"Our suspicions were raised in 2019 when several adult moths were caught and again in 2020, but this year caterpillars provided the proof of breeding.

"This is just one of about 300 rare and endangered species that Sussex Wildlife Trust cares for at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.”