A RARE moth last seen in Yorkshire 164 years ago has been spotted near York.

The Forestry Commission revealed that the "orange footman" - which takes its name from the colour of its wings - has been spotted at Sand Hutton Common, far north of its normal territorial range in southern England.

Experts believe that climatological factors may explain the moth's return, with warmer summers luring it north.

David Chesmore, from York, who found the moth, 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 three centimetres and its caterpillars feed on lichen growing on oak and beech trees.

The only previous record of its presence in Yorkshire dates back to 1840, when it was also seen near York.

The moth's reappearance will be broadcast to a wider audience this week when Mr Chesmore, who is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, gives a paper at a York University conference 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've been surveying many locations including woodlands at Allerthorpe, Wheldrake and Dalby, using lamps to monitor species at night."

If the footman is seen again next year, it may have established a breeding colony.

The Forestry Commission is committed to meeting the habitat requirements of such insects by altering its woodland management.

Paul Cody, District Forest, from the Forestry Commission, 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."

Updated: 10:44 Wednesday, July 21, 2004