The Kentish Glory moth – Endromis versicolora – is in many ways the ‘odd one out’ when it comes to larger moth species one can find in Europe. It defies expectations in several ways. First of all, it is the only representative of its own family (the Endromidae, that is) in Europe. The Endromidae, also known as ‘Glory Moths’ are a family of moths that contains about 72 species, and the majority of them are found exclusively in Asia (from the Himalayas up to Papua, into to the Far East region in northern China/Russia). Other remarkable traits include being a rather cold resistant species that can be seen as early as late February in some parts of Europe, and the males being day-flying.

On paper, the species appears to be quite widespread in Europe. Yet the moths appear to be elusive, having a rather cryptic lifestyle, and often maintaining low-density populations. One has to be quite lucky to stumble across one in the field. Moths are generally seem from February to June (flight time geographically varies based on altitude, latitude and season). In most places the peak flight time is late March; but emergence can be delayed or accelerated based on spring tempetures (cold prolongs their hibernation, warmth speeds them up in spring).

Mixed signals: In terms of conservation, the species warrants some special attention. There are mixed signals, and some of them are concerning. If we zoom out and look at the ‘big picture’ the species seems to be extremely widespread, from Central Europe, stretching into Russia into the Far East. This is certainly positive, and shows that atleast on a species-level, Endromis versicolora is probably not being threatened at an existential level any time soon. However, if we ‘zoom in’ on a smaller scale (country level), we can also tell that the species is locally struggling and even at risk of becoming locally extinct in some countries. For example, in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and parts of Scandinavia the moth has steadily been pushed back the past few decades, forcing its dwindling populations to become increasingly fragmented, isolated and vulnerable.

Achilles heel: The reason that Endromis versicolora appears to be so vulnerable to changes in the landscape is because it is generally dependent on a very specific type of habitat. Indeed, it is often classified as a ‘woodland’ species. However, they cannot just inhabitat any type of woodland. The species is heavily reliant on light birch woodland. The birch is a pioneer plant that often grows near forest edges or clearings, especially during the early stages of succession as open landscapes transition into forest. Some species are more adapted to dry, sandy, acidic soils, while other birch species are better adapted to wet, poorly drained marshy or bog-like areas. Birch woodland often forms in forest edges (succession) and clearings (sometimes after logging), swamp- bog and moorland forest, montane regions and riparian forests.

The conservation of Endromis versicolora goes hand-in-hand with the restoration of these light birch woodlands, for it is precisely this type of forest that often gets the short end of the stick when it comes to conservation. For example, historically speaking, forest management practices often failed to take natural forest edges into account; healthy forests should have rich fringes with younger trees, in Europe typically young trees such as Betula (Birch), Populus (Poplar), hazel (Corylus) and Rhamnus (buckthorns). Too many forests end abruptly at the treeline and instantly and immediately transition into grassland, for example. Forest edges and fringes are also extra vulnerable to (over)grazing; an overabundance of herbivores such as deer, but more commonly managed species such as sheep, cows, horses or goats, can quickly destroy this type of habitat. And species like Endromis versicolora suffer for it (that and many other Lepidoptera species that have declined for the same reason – another example is Limenithis populi or the poplar admiral, another species that relied on forest fringes and suffered larged declines).

After reading all of this information it is probably not a suprise to find out that the primary host plant of this species is birch tree (Betula sp.). Birch is the primary, and most important food plant for this species. However, more rarely, Endromis versicolora also uses secondary host plants. These include Alnus (alder), Corylus (hazel), and Carpinus (hornbeam).

• Difficulty rating: 
• Rearing difficulty: 4.5/10
• Pairing difficulty: 3/10
• Host plants: The primary host plant is birch tree (Betula). Secondary host plants include Alnus (alder), Corylus (hazel), and Carpinus (hornbeam).
• Natural range: 
• Polyphagous: yes (but only coniferous trees)
• Generations:
• Family:
• Pupation: Cocoon (silk encasing)
• Prefered climate: A cold-adapted species that can fly early in spring.
• Special notes: Honestly not difficult to breed, the biggest obstacle is the fact that larvae can be sensitive to infections sometimes. The rest should be smooth sailing. It is also an early spring species, don’t hibernate the pupae too long(!).
• Estimated wingspan:
• Binomial name: