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  • Oak Eggar - Lasiocampa quercus
    162324.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    156607.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141381.jpg
  • Small White Pieris rapae  Wingspan 45mm. Appreciably smaller than Large White. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with dark tip to forewing; female has two dark spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies April–May and July–August. Larva is green, speckled with tiny pale dots; feeds on cultivated cabbage and related plants. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    141135.jpg
  • Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor Wingspan 70mm. One of our most attractive moths. It is sometimes seen at dusk visiting flowers such as Honeysuckle. Adult has pink and olive-green wings and body. Flies May–June. Larva is brown or green; the head end fancifully resembles an elephant’s trunk and eyespots deter would-be predators; when alarmed the head is contracted, enlarging the eyespots. Larva feeds on willowherbs. Common in southern and central England and Wales, and more locally in lowland Scotland.
    140490.jpg
  • Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae Wingspan 40-50mm. A lethargic butterfly and a sluggish flier; often prefers to walk over foliage rather than fly. Adult has dark brown upperwings; male has orange patch on forewing. Underwings are orange-brown with white line. Flies August. Larva is slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Very local in southern and central England and Wales. Favours Blackthorn scrub and hedgerows.
    136222.jpg
  • The Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae Length 20-25mm. A striking and colourful moth whose colours warn potential predators of its distasteful nature. Flies mainly at night but also when disturbed in the daytime. Rests with wings folded or flat. Adult has sooty-black forewings with red stripes and spots. Larva is ringed with orange and black; feeds on ragworts. Widespread and common in lowland England and Wales; local and mainly coastal in Scotland.
    130472.jpg
  • Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus Wingspan 45-70mm. An impressive, broad-winged moth. Male is day-flying, larger female is nocturnal. Adult male has reddish-brown wings with a curved yellowish crossband and white central spot; female has similarly patterned wings but the ground colour is buffish-yellow. Flies July-August. Larva is brown and hairy; feeds mainly on Heather. Widespread and locally common, mainly on heaths and moorland.
    140479.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140106.jpg
  • Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria Wingspan 52mm. A colourful and unmistakable moth that holds its wings spread flat at rest; can look rather butterfly-like. Adult has pale yellow wings, the forewing with an angular tip and the hindwing with a short tail streamer. Both wings are marked with brown cross lines, and the hindwing is fringed brown. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on Ivy, Hawthorn and other shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
    109701.jpg
  • Purple Emperor Apatura iris Wingspan 65mm. An impressive and iconic butterfly of broadleaved woodlands with tall oaks and mature Goat Willows (the larval foodplant). Adult has brown upperwings marked with a white band; the male has the purple sheen, only seen at certain angles. Underwings of both sexes are chestnut with a white band. Flies July-August. Larva is green with diagnostic ‘horns’ at head end. Rare and local, restricted to a few good woodlands in southern England.
    100560.jpg
  • Satyr Pug - Eupithecia satyrata
    157466.jpg
  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
    143673.jpg
  • Peppered Moth Biston betularia Wingspan 35-50mm. A rather long-winged moth that occurs as two main colour forms. Both are well-camouflaged when resting on appropriate tree bark backgrounds. Adult of typical forms have either sooty-black wings or whitish wings peppered with dark spots; intermediate form also occurs. Flies May-August. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    144978.jpg
  • Camberwell Beauty - Aglais antiopa
    143582.jpg
  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    141640.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141383.jpg
  • Great Prominent Peridea anceps Length 30mm. A subtly marked moth whose colours and patterning are a good match for oak bark. Rests with it wings held in tent-like manner. Adult has marbled brown and grey-brown wings and hairy legs. Flies May–July. Larva is green with diagonal stripes on each segment. Larva feeds on oaks. Locally common only in southern Britain.
    141274.jpg
  • Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm. As its name suggests, this the largest British ‘white’ butterfly. Adult upperwings are creamy-white with black tip to forewing; female has additional two spots on forewing. Underwings are yellowish. Adult flies May–September. Larva is black and yellow and feeds on cabbages and related plants; usually found in groups. Common and widespread, and often seen in the garden.
    140947.jpg
  • Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis Length 18-20mm. A subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings held in shallow tent-like manner. Adult has greyish forewwings with a powdery look to them; they are marked with pale and dark cross bands, a central eyespot and a white mark on the trailing margin. Flies May-July, with a second brood in the south flying August-September. Colourful larva is brown with white marks and red tufts of hair; feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140675.jpg
  • Grey Dagger Acronicta psi Length 23mm. An aptly-named moth that rests with wings held in shallow tent-like manner. Adult has pale grey forewings with a slightly powdery look and striking black dagger-like markings. Flies June–August. Larva has a dark lateral band containing red spots on each segment, bordered above and below by a yellowish bands; note the prominent tuft of hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees. Widespread and common. Similar species Dark Dagger A. tridens is virtually indistinguishable as an adult; larva is very different, with orange-yellow bands bordering a black lateral band containing white spots.
    140662.jpg
  • Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor Wingspan 70mm. One of our most attractive moths. It is sometimes seen at dusk visiting flowers such as Honeysuckle. Adult has pink and olive-green wings and body. Flies May–June. Larva is brown or green; the head end fancifully resembles an elephant’s trunk and eyespots deter would-be predators; when alarmed the head is contracted, enlarging the eyespots. Larva feeds on willowherbs. Common in southern and central England and Wales, and more locally in lowland Scotland.
    140654.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140165.jpg
  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
    140100.jpg
  • Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor Wingspan 70mm. One of our most attractive moths. It is sometimes seen at dusk visiting flowers such as Honeysuckle. Adult has pink and olive-green wings and body. Flies May–June. Larva is brown or green; the head end fancifully resembles an elephant’s trunk and eyespots deter would-be predators; when alarmed the head is contracted, enlarging the eyespots. Larva feeds on willowherbs. Common in southern and central England and Wales, and more locally in lowland Scotland.
    136210.jpg
  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
    120707.jpg
  • Mullein Moth - Shargacucullia verbasci
    162652.jpg
  • Cinnabar Moth - Tyria jacobaeae
    157471.jpg
  • Satyr Pug - Eupithecia satyrata
    157467.jpg
  • Oleander Hawk-moth<br />
larva
    143665.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    144911.jpg
  • Convolvulus Hawk-moth - Agrius convolvuli
    144900.jpg
  • The Mullein Shargacucullia verbasci Length 25-27mm. A striking, narrow-winged moth whose shape and markings make it resemble a snapped twig. At rest, the wings are held in a tight tent-like manner, and tufts of hairs project from the head end. Adult has buff wings with dark brown leading and trailing edges, and a lengthways pale stripe. Flies April-May. Larva is white with yellow bands and black spots; feeds on mulleins, figworts and Buddleia. Widespread but common only in southern and central Britain.
    144747.jpg
  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
    141382.jpg
  • Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae Wingspan 65mm. A beautifully patterned moth whose markings and jagged wing shape give it a resemblance to crumpled, dappled leaves. Adult is typically olive-green with pinkish marbling and darker markings. Flies May–June. Larva is pale green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment, numerous white dots, red spiracles, and red-tinged ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds mainly on lime. Locally common in lowland southern and central England and Wales.
    140987.jpg
  • Brown-tail - Euproctis chrysorrhoea
    140707.jpg
  • Striped Lychnis - Shargacucullia lychnitis
    157468.jpg
  • Purple Emperor - Apatura iris. Wingspan 65mm. An impressive and iconic butterfly of broadleaved woodlands with tall oaks and mature Goat Willows (the larval foodplant). Adult has brown upperwings marked with a white band; the male has the purple sheen, only seen at certain angles. Underwings of both sexes are chestnut with a white band. Flies July-August. Larva is green with diagnostic ‘horns’ at head end. Rare and local, restricted to a few good woodlands in southern England.
    157469.jpg
  • Nothris congressariella - Nothris congressariella
    143227.jpg
  • Six-spot burnet Zygaena filipendulae Length 16-18mm. Well-marked and distinctive day-flying moth. Adult has dark forewings (with a greenish-blue iridescence at certain angles) and six red spots; hindwings are red with a dark border. Larva is yellow with black spots; feeds on Bird’s-foot Trefoil. Pupates in a yellow cocoon attached to plant stem. Widespread and locally common in grassland habitats.
    142433.jpg
  • Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan 40-60mm. A broad-winged moth. Males fly from late afternoon onwards, females are nocturnal.  Adult has rounded wings with two pale, waved crossbands; male is reddish-brown, female is greyish-brown. Larva is large, with black and golden hairs; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread in western and northern Britain; much more local elsewhere.
    141642.jpg
  • Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana Length 16-18mm. A beautiful and colourful moth that rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has bright green forewings with diagonal white cross lines; typically, the wing margins and legs are flushed red. The hindwings are yellowish in the female and white in the male. Flies June–July. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs, notably oaks, birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in central and southern Britain; more local further north.
    140954.jpg
  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140752.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140635.jpg
  • Peacock Nymphalis io Wingspan 60mm. A colourful and distinctive garden butterfly, also associated with wayside habitats where larval foodplant flourishes. Adult has marbled brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies from July–September; hibernates during winter months and appears again in spring. Larva is spiny and black; feeds on Common Nettle and young stages are gregarious. Common and widespread throughout much of lowland Britain.
    140443.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140101.jpg
  • White Admiral Limenitis camilla Wingspan 50mm. Glides with ease, flies swiftly and visits Bramble flowers along woodland rides. Adult has blackish upperwings with white bands; chestnut underwings have similar pattern of white to upperwings. Flies June-July. Larva is mainly green with tufts of spiny, orange hairs; feeds on Honeysuckle. Locally common in broadleaved woodland in southern England.
    136236.jpg
  • Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri Wingspan 100mm. A large and stunning moth. Usually rests with its wing held in a tent-like manner over the body but spreads wings when agitated. Adult has forewings that are brown and marked with darker lines and patches, the pattern recalling tree bark. If alarmed it exposes the pink-striped abdomen and pale pink stripes on the hindwing. Flies June–July. Larva is bright green with purple and white diagonal stripes and a dark-tipped ‘horn’ at the tail end. The head is pale, ringed with black. Larva feeds on Privet and Lilac. Widespread and common in central and southern Britain.
    133166.jpg
  • Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda Length 27-30mm. A beautiful pale moth whose abdomen and front legs are covered in fluffy hairs. It rests with the wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has whitish-grey or greyish-buff wings, marked with faint, dark cross lines. Flies May–June. Larva has a blackish body covered in yellow bristly hairs; feeds on various deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain.
    129623.jpg
  • White Admiral Limenitis camilla Wingspan 50mm. Glides with ease, flies swiftly and visits Bramble flowers along woodland rides. Adult has blackish upperwings with white bands; chestnut underwings have similar pattern of white to upperwings. Flies June-July. Larva is mainly green with tufts of spiny, orange hairs; feeds on Honeysuckle. Locally common in broadleaved woodland in southern England.
    127392.jpg
  • Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Wingspan 45mm. A rather sluggish and slow-flying butterfly. Adult has dark orange brown upperwings with bold dark markings; underwings are creamy-white with chestnut-brown markings. Flies June–July. Larva is blackish with bristly orange spikes; feeds on Common Cow-wheat, Wood-sage or plantains. Rare and local, mainly in southeast and southwest England; favours sunny woodland rides.
    125205.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    123682.jpg
  • Purple Emperor Apatura iris Wingspan 65mm. An impressive and iconic butterfly of broadleaved woodlands with tall oaks and mature Goat Willows (the larval foodplant). Adult has brown upperwings marked with a white band; the male has the purple sheen, only seen at certain angles. Underwings of both sexes are chestnut with a white band. Flies July-August. Larva is green with diagnostic ‘horns’ at head end. Rare and local, restricted to a few good woodlands in southern England.
    120013.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor L 14-15cm. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has black back and wings with white barring. Underparts are grubby white with dark streaking. Face is white and nape is black; black stripe runs from bill, around ear coverts to sides of breast. Note white-flecked red crown. Adult female and Juvenile are similar but with black crown. Voice Territorial male utters raptor-like piping call in spring. Drumming is rapid but rather faint. Status Local resident of deciduous woodland and parkland; often associated with alders.
    110909.jpg
  • Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta - larva. Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
    157507.jpg
  • Striped Lychnis - Shargacucullia lychnitis
    157464.jpg
  • Great Prominent - Peridea anceps Length 30mm. A subtly marked moth whose colours and patterning are a good match for oak bark. Rests with it wings held in tent-like manner. Adult has marbled brown and grey-brown wings and hairy legs. Flies May–July. Larva is green with diagonal stripes on each segment. Larva feeds on oaks. Locally common only in southern Britain.
    157462.jpg
  • Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae Wingspan 65mm. A beautifully patterned moth whose markings and jagged wing shape give it a resemblance to crumpled, dappled leaves. Adult is typically olive-green with pinkish marbling and darker markings. Flies May–June. Larva is pale green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment, numerous white dots, red spiracles, and red-tinged ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds mainly on lime. Locally common in lowland southern and central England and Wales.
    140987.jpg
  • Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet - Zygaena lornicerae
    145240.jpg
  • Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris fuciformis Wingspan 40-45mm. An intriguing day-flying moth whose appearance and hovering flight make it look remarkably like a bumblebee. Adult has a furry yellowish-brown body with a reddish band across the abdomen, and black hair-like tufts at the tip. The wings have reddish-brown margins but are otherwise transparent. Flies May-June. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle and bedstraws. Local and restricted to open woodland in southern England.
    145203.jpg
  • Pine Hawk-moth Hyloicus pinastri Wingspan 80mm. An extremely well-camouflaged moth when resting on the bark of pine trees.  Adult has grey-brown forewings marked with darker streaks and stippled with dark spot. The hindwings are flushed buffish but are only occasionally exposed if the moth is alarmed. Flies June–July. Larva is green with lengthways pale stripes and a dark ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds on Scots Pine needles. Locally common only in southern England.
    144981.jpg
  • Kentish Glory - Endromis versicolora
    144932.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144876.jpg
  • Barred Umber - Plagodis pulveraria
    141486.jpg
  • Common Footman Eilema lurideola Length 25mm. An elongated, narrow-winged moth that rests with its wings held flat, the forewings overlapping one another. Adult has mainly grey forewings with a yellow leading edge; the hindwings are yellow. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on lichens growing on trees and shrubs. Widespread and locally common in England and Wales; much more local, and mainly coastal, in Scotland.
    141333.jpg
  • The Drinker Euthrix potatoria Length 30-35mm. A well-marked moth. At rest, holds wings in a tent-like manner, and has a distinct ‘snout’. Female is larger than male. Adult has broad wings, the forewing with a pointed tip and diagonal stripe; overall, male is orange-yellow, female is yellow-buff. Flies July-August. Larva is large and hairy, brown with yellow lengthways bands; feeds on grasses. Widespread and common in the southern half of Britain, and northwest Scotland.
    141330.jpg
  • The Sycamore Acronicta aceris Length 24-26mm. A subtly-marked moth with a slightly powdery look to its wings; it rests with its wings held flat or in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has pale grey to sooty grey forewings with indistinct darkish cross lines. Flies June-Aug. Larva is striking, and covered in orange and yellow hairs; black-ringed white spots can be seen along the back. Feeds on Sycamore, Field Maple and Horse-chestnut. Common only in southeast England.
    140616.jpg
  • The Sycamore Acronicta aceris Length 24-26mm. A subtly-marked moth with a slightly powdery look to its wings; it rests with its wings held flat or in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has pale grey to sooty grey forewings with indistinct darkish cross lines. Flies June-Aug. Larva is striking, and covered in orange and yellow hairs; black-ringed white spots can be seen along the back. Feeds on Sycamore, Field Maple and Horse-chestnut. Common only in southeast England.
    140615.jpg
  • Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia Wingspan 60mm. An iconic woodland butterfly associated with sunny rides and clearing; adults are often seen feeding on flowers of Bramble and thistles. Adult has orange-brown upperwings with black markings; underside of hindwing has silvery sheen. Flies June–August. Larva feed on violets.  Status Locally common woodland species in S and SW England and Ireland.
    140394.jpg
  • Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia Wingspan 40-60mm. An unmistakable and beautiful moth; males are day-flying, females are nocturnal. Adult male has beautifully patterned brown forewings and orange hindwings, each with a striking central eyespot; female has beautifully patterned grey wings, with maroon bands and larger eyespots than male. Larva is green with clusters of hairs arising from yellow, warty spots; feeds on Heather and Bramble. Widespread but local; associated mainly with heaths and moorland.
    140239.jpg
  • Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    140166.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    140055.jpg
  • Five Spot Burnet Larva - Zygaena trifolii
    140031.jpg
  • Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis urticae  Wingspan 42mm. A colourful butterfly associated with waste and wayside areas where larval foodplant flourishes. Fond of basking in the sun, usually on bare ground. Adult has marbled orange, yellow and black upperwings; underwings are grey-brown. Double- or triple-brooded: flies March–October. Also hibernates. Larva is yellow and black and spiny; typically they are gregarious and feed on Common Nettle. Fairly common and widespread but much reduced in numbers in recent years.
    137029.jpg
  • MOTH LARVA SUSPENDED BY SILK
    136225.jpg
  • Poplar Hawk-moth  Laothoe populi Wingspan 70mm. An interesting moth whose wing shape and colouration is a good match for dry, crumpled leaves. Adult has grey-brown forewings with darker central band containing white crescent mark. At rest, hindwings project slightly in front of forewings; a reddish patch on the hindwing is exposed if the moth is startled. Double-brooded: flies May–August. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on poplar and willows. Common and widespread.
    136205.jpg
  • Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae Wingspan 40-50mm. A lethargic butterfly and a sluggish flier; often prefers to walk over foliage rather than fly. Adult has dark brown upperwings; male has orange patch on forewing. Underwings are orange-brown with white line. Flies August. Larva is slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Very local in southern and central England and Wales. Favours Blackthorn scrub and hedgerows.
    136138.jpg
  • Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellarum
    135364.jpg
  • Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula Length 20mm. A dainty moth that rests with its wings held in tent-like manner and looks a bit like a tiny Puss Moth. Adult has whitish forewings with an orange-bordered grey cross band ac. Outer margin of wings has black spots and dorsal surface of thorax is dark grey and orange. Double-brooded: flies May–June and again in August. Larva is plump and greenish, with an orange-brown ‘saddle’ and two tail appendages. Larva feeds mainly on sallows. Widespread and common in central and southern England and Wales, and lowland Scotland.
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  • Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellatus Wingspan 80mm. An aptly named moth with bold and striking ‘eye’ markings on the hindwings. These are exposed (as a deterrent to predators) only when moth is startled and hidden by the forewings when resting. Adult has marbled grey-brown forewings. Flies May–July. Larva is bright green with a pale diagonal stripe on each segment and a ‘horn’ at the tail end. Feeds on willows and apple. Common only in southern and central Britain.
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  • Cinnabar Moth - Tyria jacobaeae
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Light Crimson Underwing - Calocala primissa
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  • Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm. A fascinating, migrant day-flying moth that hovers and sips nectar from flowers using its long tongue; the wingbeats create an audible hum. Resting moths sometimes sit on banks but are well camouflaged and hard to spot. Adult has brown forewings and an orange patch on the hindwings. Flies May-October. Larva is pale green with a lengthways white line, white spots and a small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Larva feeds on bedstraws. An occasional migrant visitor to Britain from mainland Europe; numbers vary from year to year but always commonest on the south coast.
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  • Brown-tail Moth - Euproctis chrysorrhoea
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  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
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  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Scarce Vapourer - Orgyia recens
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  • Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Wingspan 60mm. A colourful butterfly and a harbinger of spring. Adult has distinctive wings: rounded overall with pointed tips; those on the forewings are hooked. Male is brimstone-yellow; female is much paler and could be mistaken for a Large White in flight. Single-brooded: adults hatch in August, then hibernate and emerge on sunny spring days. Larva is green with pale lateral line; feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. Locally common in England and Wales.
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  • Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor Wingspan 70mm. One of our most attractive moths. It is sometimes seen at dusk visiting flowers such as Honeysuckle. Adult has pink and olive-green wings and body. Flies May–June. Larva is brown or green; the head end fancifully resembles an elephant’s trunk and eyespots deter would-be predators; when alarmed the head is contracted, enlarging the eyespots. Larva feeds on willowherbs. Common in southern and central England and Wales, and more locally in lowland Scotland.
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  • Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne Wingspan 42mm. A classic woodland butterfly whose fate is linked to appropriate habitat management. Adult has orange brown upperwings with dark markings; underside of hindwing is beautifully patterned with seven silver spots on the margin and two in the middle. Flies May-June. Larva is black with a pale lateral band, and yellow, hairy spikes on dorsal surface; feeds on violets. Widespread but local in British Isles; hotspots are southern England and west Scotland.
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  • Sycamore Moth Larva - Acronicta aceris
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  • Pine Hawk-moth Hyloicus pinastri Wingspan 80mm. An extremely well-camouflaged moth when resting on the bark of pine trees.  Adult has grey-brown forewings marked with darker streaks and stippled with dark spot. The hindwings are flushed buffish but are only occasionally exposed if the moth is alarmed. Flies June–July. Larva is green with lengthways pale stripes and a dark ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds on Scots Pine needles. Locally common only in southern England.
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  • Toadflax Brocade - Calophasia lunula
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth<br />
Larva
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Black Arches Lymantria monacha Length 20-24mm. A strikingly patterned moth that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has white forewings that are marked with black wavy lines; if wings are spread, pink and black abdomen can be seen. Flies July-August. Larva feeds mainly on oaks. Widespread and common only in southern and central Britain.
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  • Copper Underwing  Amphipyra pyramidea Length 24-26mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held flat, or with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Often ventures indoors through open windows and congregates in groups in dark place in the daytime. Adult has brown forewings with wavy white and dark lines and a pale central eyespot. The hindwing underside has an orange tinge confined to the outer margin. Seen head-on, the palps are uniformly pale brown. Flies August-October. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and commonest in southern Britain.
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  • Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Length 32mm. An intriguing moth named after the bizarre appearance of its larva. Adult has reddish-grey wings, usually with an orange-pink flush; it is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark. Flies May–July. Larva looks and behaves like an ant when tiny; with maturity its long legs give it a crustacean-like appearance. Larva feeds on Beech, oaks and Hazel. Locally common only in the south.
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