A new species has been found in Wales, thousands of miles away from its original habitat. An unusual discovery of two clearwing moths in a home in Port Talbot has been confirmed as a new species called Carmenta brachyclados. These moths are believed to have travelled a staggering 4,500 miles from the rainforests of Guyana in South America to Wales.
The surprising find was made by 22-year-old ecologist Daisy Cadet and her mother Ashleigh, a professional photographer, who noticed the insects on their windowsill during a chilly February afternoon. The discovery left experts puzzled about how these moths ended up in Wales, with theories suggesting they may have journeyed as larvae inside a travel bag belonging to Ashleigh unknowingly.
Mark Sterling, a scientific associate at the Natural History Museum, expressed his amazement at the improbable event, stating that the journey defied rational explanation. The moths were identified through DNA analysis as a previously unknown species to science, sparking interest and further investigation.
Ms Cadet shared her journey of discovering the unusual moths on Instagram, attracting attention from enthusiasts and eventually leading to experts confirming the moths’ uniqueness. Upon examining the bag Ashleigh carried on her photography trip to Guyana, they uncovered two intact cocoon remains, believed to be the protective coverings the insects created during their development stages.
The newly discovered moth species, Carmenta brachyclados, measures about 18mm in length and features transparent wings with striking black veins and tips. The scientists also found a plant fragment in the bag, possibly a seed pod from a tree species native to Central and South America, suggesting it aided the larvae in their survival during travel.
Mark Sterling highlighted the rarity of finding clearwing moths, especially in Wales, and described the emergence of tropical moths during the cold Welsh winter as extraordinary. Ms Cadet expressed her mixed feelings about the discovery, emphasising the importance of taking urgent action to protect biodiversity in the face of climate change.
The remarkable findings have been documented in the journal Nota Lepidopterologia, shedding light on the journey of these mysterious moths that found an unlikely home in Wales.