Morva the Moth

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has identified Shorthorn Beach, the middle beach of the 3 beaches which make up Carlyon Bay Beach, as a site of national importance.

It is one of only 2 places in Cornwall which are home to a pretty and unusual, nationally notable Moth, the Cream-bordered Green Pea Moth.

CarlyonBayWatch have adopted this moth as a mascot and named her Morva - a traditional Cornish name. We feel that Morva, along with the environment which she inhabits, need protection.

Cornwall Moth Group
Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Local invertebrate expert Adrian Spalding surveyed for moths at Carlyon Bay in the mid-1990s. In his paper to the British Journal for Entomology & Natural History 1995 he found and identified 17 nationally notable species including the;
 

Black Banded Moth

The Black Banded Moth has only been recorded in less than 30 10 km squares across the country. It's classified status is Nationally Notable A.

Cream-bordered Green Pea Moth

The Cream-bordered Green Pea Moth has only been recorded in between 31 and 100 10 km squares. It's classified staus is Nationally Notable B.

Kent Black Arches Moth

White-line Snout Moth

Shorthorn is notable for the numbers of different moth species present - 331 species - which represents 56% of the Cornish macro (larger) maritime moths.

The importance of Shorthorn for moths suggests that the site is probably important for other insect groups as well.

There has been one basic ecological survey carried out by the developer's consultants - this identifies some plant species and habitats, but refers to the need for more specialised surveys.

The significance of destroying this environment by building upon it is not known. This is another reason why the proposed development at the Beach needs the full scrutiny of a public enquiry.

Note: Nationally notable - this does not mean they are legally protected but further highlights the ecological importance of the site.

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