A rare moth has returned to Cornwall for the first time in more than ten years, reports wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation.

A caterpillar of the elusive Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was found on Goss Moor National Nature Reserve near Victoria in late June.

The discovery is confirmation the moth is breeding in the county again and is the first record of the species in Cornwall since 2008, when the moth was seen on Bodmin Moor.

The Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was once widely recorded in the UK and could be seen visiting flowers throughout May and June, but the species has undergone a substantial decline over recent decades.

The day-flying moth is also a distinctive bumblebee-mimic, with a yellow and black abdomen and transparent wings, which have well-defined black-coloured veins running through them.

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Natural England’s Dave Hazelhurst said: “Working in partnership with wildlife charities like Butterfly Conservation means we can combine our efforts to maximise the benefits for these species and we’re thrilled that Goss Moor has provided a new home to the rare Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. It’s really heartening to see that everyone’s conservation efforts to help moths and butterflies at the reserve are paying off.”