A moth that loves lichen is doing well, but it's a special case.

Pollution in the air has caused many insects to disappear, but this moth is okay for now.

Published 31 August 2026 175 words
ENVIRONMENT A2
A moth that loves lichen is doing well, but it's a special case.

A man named Nigel Brown was happy to find a pretty moth called a rosy footman. He said that less air pollution has helped lichens grow. Lichens grow on trees and rocks. The caterpillars of the footman moth eat these lichens. Because there is more food, the moths are doing better and are spreading.

However, a different message might be more true. The main types of air pollution have changed since the 1990s. Before, sulphur dioxide was a big problem. Now, nitrogen oxides are more common. These come from cars and other engines. Lichens and algae like the new conditions, so the footman moth is doing well as a special case.

But pollution from many sources is still causing big problems for most moths and other insects in Britain. It is okay for the footman moth, but it is not a good example for all insects.

Vocabulary

pollution — Harmful or dirty things in the air, water, or land.
lichens — Small plants that grow on rocks and trees.
caterpillars — Baby moths or butterflies that look like worms.
engine — The part of a machine, like a car, that makes it work.
insects — Small creatures with six legs, like ants, bees, and moths.
disappear — To stop being visible or to go away.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does the footman moth eat?
  2. What has changed about air pollution in Britain since the 1990s?
  3. Why is the footman moth not a good example for other insects?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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