A RARE moth that was last seen in the North more than 160 years ago has made a re-appearance.

Experts believe the orange footman has been lured so far North of its normal territory by warm summers.

The moth, which takes its name from its wing colour, was spotted by researcher David Chesmore on Forestry Commission land at Sand Hutton Common, near York.

Mr Chesmore, who works at York University, said: "Anecdotal evidence suggests the moth has been moving northward in the past couple of years.

"Its distribution is normally south of a line between the Wash and the Severn Estuary, so this is really quite remarkable."

The moth has a wingspan of up to 3cm and its caterpillars feed on lichen growing on oaks and beeches. The only previous record of its presence in Yorkshire dates from 1840, when it was also seen near York.

Mr Chesmore, a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, has written a paper contrasting the general national decline in butterfly species with an apparent upturn in the fortunes of Yorkshire's butterflies and moths.

His figures reveal that at least 79 moth species have been added to county records in recent years.

He said: "The orange footman is one of a number of new or long-absent species being found.

"For several years, with my colleagues, I have been surveying many locations, including woodlands at Allerthorpe, Wheldrake and Dalby, using lamps to monitor species at night."

Forestry Commission spokesman Paul Cody said: "We hear lots about the loss of wildlife, but less about the number of species that are being added to the list in Yorkshire. Sensitive management and climate is actually expanding biodiversity. In our woods, we are seeing a net gain in insects, birds and other animals.