Odontognophos dumetata Hibernica: Introduction
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Introduction



n August 1991, while searching for specimens of the Burren Green, the late Peter Forder noticed two specimens of an unusual moth in the light trap that had been running at the time. They appeared to be superficially like Triphosa dubitata (the Tissue Moth). Mr. Forder returned to England with the specimens and upon further investigation it proved that the moths were actually specimens of a moth previously known only to exist in Mediterranean regions (See Appendix A for known distribution). The moth was eventyally identified from Seitz World Book (1912), as Odontognophos dumetata. The Irish specimen was classsified as Odontognophos dumetata Hibernica, appearing to represent a distinct subspecies.

A study is at present (1996) being conducted by Mr. Barry Goater into the validity of this claim. He is investigating the differences between the genitalia of these Burren specimens and the Mediterranean specimens. The results of this investigation may prove the Irish specimen to be a separate species. (See appendix B)

As I have been involved with this moth since its discovery, I decided to conduct a study of its life cycle and behaviour in the Burren.

The Burren is a karst limestone region in north Co. Clare. It is an area of unique flora and fauna, where plants from Mediterranean, Alpine and Arctic regions live side by side. My study was conducted at Lough Bunny and Cooloorta, two turloughs (Grid Ref. R378977 and R350962). At both the foodplant Rhamnus catharticus (buckthorn) grows readily. This moist habitat appears to favour the life cycle of the moth. At both sites, the preferred plats were subject to winter flooding. This flooding is influenced by the heavy precipitation during early January. (See Appendix D for Burren Maps and climate charts).


The foodplant, Rhamnus catharticus, is a member of the Buckthorn family. It can reach a maximum height of 6m. The bark is coloured grey-brown. It is a deciduous plant, often with some thorns. The leaves are 3-6cm long and are toothed. The flowers appear in May/June just below the leaves and growing in small clusters. A prostrate variety growing no more than 1m is favoured by dumetata. This variety is found growing, in the grikes, quite close to water,and is usually submerged during the winter months by the turloughs. Its shoots spread horizontally and lie closely pressed to the rocks. (A Burren Companion, Nelson & Walsh)

In the investigation og this moth and its life cycle, I reared larva in captivith to adults, conducted a survey of plants preferred by the larvae, obtained Adult pairings in captivity and fertile ova. (This was the first time since the moth's discovery in 1991 that successful pairings have been obtained).

The aims of this project were:



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