The mission to help save one of Scotland's smallest moths

A big search is on across Scotland to find one of its smallest species - a moth.

The Highland nymph is just a few millimetres in length, but don't be mistaken, Patrick Cook, who is an ecologist at the wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, says they are "small but very tough".

Experts are worried about its population here in the UK, though. Before a colony was found by the charity in 2024, one hadn't been spotted in Scotland for 20 years.

The charity is now asking people to help save it from extinction.

The species is nicknamed the Alpine coffee moth because of its coffee-like colouring and its habitat in the mountains.

It can be found in the Alps and Scandinavia and was first spotted in the UK in 1983. They are very rare here, though, with experts saying now they are found in just three locations in the mountains of Scotland.

The species' caterpillars feed on the leaves of some mountain willow, which has become a problem. Patrick Cook says "the plants that the caterpillars feed on are no longer found in the area".

Experts are worried about the moth's population in the UK because animals like deer and sheep are eating away at their habitat.

A team from Butterfly Conservation rediscovered a colony of around 30 to 40 moths last year.

The Highland nymph has only ever been found at 10 locations in the UK. Patrick said the charity is planning on visiting a number of them to work out if the moth is still found there.

The charity is now working to try to save the moth in Scotland, working with landowners to look at the possibility of planting more willows for them to live on.

It's also working with other organisations to search mountainous areas of Scotland to find evidence of other colonies and running online sessions to help teach people what to look for.

Patrick said it could be difficult, however, for children to help out with Highland nymphs in particular because of where they are found.

But don't worry, he says "children can definitely play a big part in helping moths in general in their local area" by doing things like planting food plants for the insects.