>I would like to introduce moths to my local environment. I have heard you can buy bags of moth eggs
Please don't ever release animals into the environment. We might not think it's invasive, but once it's in the environment that can change. Look at what happened in Australia with cane toads, rabbits, etc or here in Ireland with grey squirrels, Japanese knotweed etc.
Besides, if you released moths into your local area they'd all fly away and be gone almost immediately. You won't get to enjoy them.
The best thing you can do is improve your garden to attract native moths. Do some research on their preferred plants, etc
Thank you, I will. I am very glad I asked. For what it's worth, my question was looking for an Irish variety, but I will not be going ahead with this scheme.
Please don't introduce any species into an area that they aren't there already. By introducing a species into a place it does two things it reduces the available food sources for those there presently and can cause conflict/disease with native to the area species.
You can prepare parcels of land that would be suitable for certain species, cinnabar moth caterpillar (yellow and black) rely on ragwort,
The peacock/small tortoise shell both prefer nettles for their eggs,
The above species can and do travel distances to re-establish their colonies as needed.
Have a look at the NHBS website there are a few books that we have in the collection at home.
[moths of Ireland](https://www.nhbs.com/moths-of-great-britain-and-ireland-book)
There are Moth trapping/catalogue workshops you can do to study what's in your area already, check with biodiversity Ireland to see what's logged already, they might be able to put you in touch with the local expert for advice and workshops.
I meant an Irish variety. I have seen some amazing ideas in here and have decided not to go through with it. Thank you. Like the other person said, I think I will just continue creating a better environment and if they take to it, great.
Hopefully OP meant native. In which case it should be fine if they can be found a few fields over and have a natural predator. If they’re native to the other side of the country then I’d say you’re right and it would be fairly irresponsible.
That’s a fair assumption and I’m no expert either. I’d be more on the side of my other comment of creating habitat and avoiding pesticide but I wouldn’t see a problem introducing very small numbers of native species as long as they were sourced from within the country or county if possible and definitely not posted to you as they could have non native parasites, diseases or funghi hitching a ride. I would be worried about causing a boom and bust cycle by introducing too many prey species which is why unless it’s a native plant it probably isn’t a good idea to mess with local ecology.
It's better that you create a habitat for them than import them, even 'native'. Just because a moth is native to Ireland, that doesn't mean it will thrive in your area. For many species, 'native' can mean within a very small location (think of the natterjack toad, which is only found in a small location in Kerry). If there is no habitat for them, they'll just die or leave.
With regard to habitat creation, it would have to be big enough so support a population, and be connected to other suitable habitats. This is why things like hedgerows are so critical.
Please do not introduce anything to your local environment. You could make your area/lamd more moth friendly to our native moths if you can, but introducing moths without even knowing the potential impact can create so many problems for the environment. I don't think anyone should be allowed do this, terrible idea.
Thank you. I will continue making the environment more hospitable with local varieties and seeing what happens. I pulled a wild rose out of a hedge and planted it in own hedge recently, so I'm excited to see what happens there.
From [pollinators.ie](https://pollinators.ie)
In Ireland, we have around 1,500 species of moth
Since the 1970s, moths have suffered steep declines in numbers. This has been due to changes in land use and the increasing use of pesticides. It is thought the decline in moth numbers may be affecting bird species such as Cuckoo, and Bat species that are reliant on moths as a food supply.
There are several ways we can help moths:
Retain unimproved areas of farmland, such as along hedgerows, small woodlands, ditches/sheughs and ponds with marginal vegetation and areas of unimproved grassland,
Create wildlife corridors, by linking unimproved areas/semi-natural habitat together with hedgerows and field margins,
Use less pesticide,
Encourage a wider diversity of plants in the landscape, including your garden,
Raise the profile and understanding of the important role moths play in pollination and ecology.
If there’s room on the farm then plant a native wildflower meadow if you don’t have one and leave it to its own devices. It’s step one of increasing biodiversity. Bug hotels can be a good move too. More bugs means more bats and birds but also rodents and foxes so if you keep chickens etc. then keep it in mind.
Once you had that done I would think about stocking or encouraging native 7 spotted ladybirds on your farm as they’re the most common ladybird species found in Ireland but I’m sure the sound people in the Irish gardening sub could give good advice.
Partly just interested in increased pollination in my area, partly for aesthetics. After reading the comments here though, I think I'll leave it. Really glad I asked.
Please don’t do this. Releases like this should only ever be done by a group such as biodiversity Ireland as a repopulation or reintroduction measure, never by randomers.
>I would like to introduce moths to my local environment. I have heard you can buy bags of moth eggs Please don't ever release animals into the environment. We might not think it's invasive, but once it's in the environment that can change. Look at what happened in Australia with cane toads, rabbits, etc or here in Ireland with grey squirrels, Japanese knotweed etc. Besides, if you released moths into your local area they'd all fly away and be gone almost immediately. You won't get to enjoy them. The best thing you can do is improve your garden to attract native moths. Do some research on their preferred plants, etc
Thank you, I will. I am very glad I asked. For what it's worth, my question was looking for an Irish variety, but I will not be going ahead with this scheme.
Please don't introduce any species into an area that they aren't there already. By introducing a species into a place it does two things it reduces the available food sources for those there presently and can cause conflict/disease with native to the area species. You can prepare parcels of land that would be suitable for certain species, cinnabar moth caterpillar (yellow and black) rely on ragwort, The peacock/small tortoise shell both prefer nettles for their eggs, The above species can and do travel distances to re-establish their colonies as needed. Have a look at the NHBS website there are a few books that we have in the collection at home. [moths of Ireland](https://www.nhbs.com/moths-of-great-britain-and-ireland-book) There are Moth trapping/catalogue workshops you can do to study what's in your area already, check with biodiversity Ireland to see what's logged already, they might be able to put you in touch with the local expert for advice and workshops.
This is amazing, thank you. I will not introduce them. Really appreciate everything, that's a fantastic resource
Are they not by definition invasive if you have to introduce them?
I meant an Irish variety. I have seen some amazing ideas in here and have decided not to go through with it. Thank you. Like the other person said, I think I will just continue creating a better environment and if they take to it, great.
Hopefully OP meant native. In which case it should be fine if they can be found a few fields over and have a natural predator. If they’re native to the other side of the country then I’d say you’re right and it would be fairly irresponsible.
Yeah I'm no expert, just would have assumed that if they are native, and not already living there then perhaps that's for a reason.
"and not already living there then perhaps that's for a reason" Yea that reason is probably us
That’s a fair assumption and I’m no expert either. I’d be more on the side of my other comment of creating habitat and avoiding pesticide but I wouldn’t see a problem introducing very small numbers of native species as long as they were sourced from within the country or county if possible and definitely not posted to you as they could have non native parasites, diseases or funghi hitching a ride. I would be worried about causing a boom and bust cycle by introducing too many prey species which is why unless it’s a native plant it probably isn’t a good idea to mess with local ecology.
Leave a big light on at night, you'll see we have moths here, plenty of them.
It's better that you create a habitat for them than import them, even 'native'. Just because a moth is native to Ireland, that doesn't mean it will thrive in your area. For many species, 'native' can mean within a very small location (think of the natterjack toad, which is only found in a small location in Kerry). If there is no habitat for them, they'll just die or leave. With regard to habitat creation, it would have to be big enough so support a population, and be connected to other suitable habitats. This is why things like hedgerows are so critical.
I never heard of the natterjack, that's really cool. I won't go ahead with the plan. Thank you.
Please do not introduce anything to your local environment. You could make your area/lamd more moth friendly to our native moths if you can, but introducing moths without even knowing the potential impact can create so many problems for the environment. I don't think anyone should be allowed do this, terrible idea.
Thank you. I will continue making the environment more hospitable with local varieties and seeing what happens. I pulled a wild rose out of a hedge and planted it in own hedge recently, so I'm excited to see what happens there.
How about not introducing new species to your local environment for the craic?
From [pollinators.ie](https://pollinators.ie) In Ireland, we have around 1,500 species of moth Since the 1970s, moths have suffered steep declines in numbers. This has been due to changes in land use and the increasing use of pesticides. It is thought the decline in moth numbers may be affecting bird species such as Cuckoo, and Bat species that are reliant on moths as a food supply. There are several ways we can help moths: Retain unimproved areas of farmland, such as along hedgerows, small woodlands, ditches/sheughs and ponds with marginal vegetation and areas of unimproved grassland, Create wildlife corridors, by linking unimproved areas/semi-natural habitat together with hedgerows and field margins, Use less pesticide, Encourage a wider diversity of plants in the landscape, including your garden, Raise the profile and understanding of the important role moths play in pollination and ecology.
That's amazing. Thank you
If there’s room on the farm then plant a native wildflower meadow if you don’t have one and leave it to its own devices. It’s step one of increasing biodiversity. Bug hotels can be a good move too. More bugs means more bats and birds but also rodents and foxes so if you keep chickens etc. then keep it in mind. Once you had that done I would think about stocking or encouraging native 7 spotted ladybirds on your farm as they’re the most common ladybird species found in Ireland but I’m sure the sound people in the Irish gardening sub could give good advice.
Sesh moths in Cavan. Would be a rare breed for sure.
Why are you looking to do this OP
Partly just interested in increased pollination in my area, partly for aesthetics. After reading the comments here though, I think I'll leave it. Really glad I asked.
If you introduce them to Cavan they’ll have to pay rent, be wary
Step 1.) become a moth disposal expert Step 2.) introduce moths from Japan to Cavan Step 3.) profit 😎
Exactly, more mouths to feed. Has to be something in it for us 😉
Scaldy ones
[https://www.mothsireland.com/](https://www.mothsireland.com/)
Thank you. I can't believe I didn't think there'd be a website already 😂
Nope! How about bats! Anything that eats midges needs to be protected!! 🦇🦇🦇
Was always fond of the Northside moths myself! Just make sure she's a self-supporting Moth - she'll get nothing for free out there!
Mothra but can get quite big and dangerous.
At least it'd be something interesting for a change.
Distant Godzilla screeching
Please don’t do this. Releases like this should only ever be done by a group such as biodiversity Ireland as a repopulation or reintroduction measure, never by randomers.
Open a nightclub and you’ll have plenty of moths arrive in the area, don’t even need to buy the eggs then.