'Mythical' moth rescued from web

An insect found only four times previously since 1853 is discovered close to site of original sighting.

The black-winged and orange bodied Ethmia pyrausta is so rare it has gained almost mythical status, said Butterfly Conservation Scotland (BCS).

It was spotted and photographed by Andy Scott and Margaret Currie.

Their find was made near Loch Morie, Easter Ross, Highlands, close to the original specimen site.

The moth was identified by experts Mark Young and Roy Leverton, who were leading a BCS workshop at Aigas Field Centre in Inverness-shire.

Apart from the original 1853 specimen, only four others have ever been found in the UK.

Two were found in 1996 on the top of Glas Maol in the Grampians with a further two found nearby.

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