Insect believed extinct in the UK discovered in Outer Hebrides garden

An insect species which was believed to be extinct in the United Kingdom has been found in a garden in the Outer Hebrides.

The Limnephilus Pati caddisfly was presumed to have died out with no records of it in Britain for more than 100 years.

However, a male was photographed when attracted to a light-trap being run by Robin Sutton on South Uist and has now been confirmed as the species.

Craig Macadam, Buglife’s conservation director, said: “It is really exciting that this species, thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in the British Isles.

“We don’t know a lot about its requirements, but the discovery of this new population means that we might be a step closer to working out what has driven the declines of this species elsewhere.”

Missing caddisfly species discovered via moth trapping! Limnephilus pati was presumed extinct in the UK as it had not been recorded for over 100 years!https://t.co/5odyzftFvl

Goes to show that your moth trap bycatch is worth sorting through! @savebutterflies @BritishMoths

— Buglife (@Buzz_dont_tweet) March 5, 2021

South Uist is described as rich in habitats for caddisflies, with numerous small lochans, clear, low nutrient streams and extensive machair habitats.

Mr Sutton made the find in July. It is among 23 species of caddisfly that he has captured in his garden.

He said: “I’ve been running a light trap on the Outer Hebrides for over four years but I couldn’t believe that the only location for a species thought to be extinct in Britain was in my back garden.

“It goes to show how much we still have to find out about these far-flung places.”

Populations of the insect are also believed to exist in the Isle of Man and Ireland.