Located in the extreme north east corner of Ireland, Murlough Bay is home to a wide range of moths. The mix of Basalt and Antrim Limestone geology, shaped into sheer cliffs, boulder fields and vegetated slopes creates numerous niches for nature. As do the relative flatter areas above the cliffs, with grazed grassland above the limestone and heath over the basalt. Several wetlands features, including Lough na Cranagh and Lough Doo, add great diversity. Current and historic land management, including a rich industrial heritage, has shaped the site into a complex array of habitats and microhabitats. Planted woodlands, with a mix of native and non-native trees and naturally regenerating birch and ashwoods over foodplants and shelter



Some of Ireland's rarest and most localised moths call Murlough home. Most famously this is the only known site for the Yellow-ringed Carpet in Ireland. It has been recorded feeding on saxifrage species on the cliffs in its larval stage.

Other scarce and priority species that have been recorded at Murlough include:

Dotted Carpet -

Scarce Footman -

Grey Mountain Carpet -

Netted Pug -

Pretty Pinion -

Sandy Carpet -

Chestnut-coloured Carpet -

Brindled Ochre -

Grey Chi -

Striped Twin-spot -

In 2025 Northern Ireland's first Peacock Moth was found at Murlough. It is not yet clear if this was a migrant or if a small population is present,

Murlough Bays coastal location makes it good location for migrant moths when conditions are right. A number of interesting moths have been found in recent years, including:

Northern Ireland's third Bedstraw Hawk-moth -

The Gem -

Scarce Bordered Straw -