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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.
    141383.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.
    154371.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.
    141380.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
  • 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.
    141401.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.
    141390.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.
    141384.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
  • 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.
    141378.jpg
  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    134438.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.
    127737.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
  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    134445.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.
    118615.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    115203.jpg
  • Swallowtail - Papilio machaon ssp. britannicus - larva. Wingspan 70mm. Iconic and unmistakable butterfly with mainly yellow and black wings; hind wings have blue and red spots, and tail streamers. Double-brooded: adults are on the wing May–June, and again in August. Larva is yellow-green with black and red markings; feeds on Milk-parsley. Restricted to a few fens and marshes in East Anglia, mainly in the Norfolk Broads; easiest to see at Strumpshaw Fen and Hickling Broad.
    157504.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
  • 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
  • December Moth - Poecilocampa populi - larva. Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    157413.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
  • 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.
    144979.jpg
  • 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.
    144923.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.
    140655.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    140753.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.
    140653.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.
    140651.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.
    140489.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
    144983.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    140652.jpg
  • Alder Moth Larva - Acronicta alni
    136220.jpg
  • Puss Moth Cerura vinula Length 35mm. A charming, furry-legged moth that rests with wings held in tent-like. Adult has pale greyish-white wings with darker veins, and dark zigzag lines. Flies May–July. Larva is fat and green with a swollen head and two whip-like tail appendages. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    134426.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.
    140056.jpg
  • Five Spot Burnet Larva - Zygaena trifolii
    140031.jpg
  • Sycamore Moth Larva - Acronicta aceris
    137698.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
  • 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.
    136509.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.
    136204.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
  • 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.
    127398.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
  • Sycamore Moth Larva - Acronicta aceris
    124431.jpg
  • 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.
    110764.jpg
  • Rat-tailed maggot - Drone Fly larva Eristalis tenax
    136423.jpg
  • Lacewing larva with prey
    116235.jpg
  • Death's Head Hawkmoth Larva - Acherontia atropos
    136732.jpg
  • Goat Moth Cossus cossus Length 5cm. A large and distinctive moth. Adult has white, silvery grey and buff forewings, the overall pattern resembling tree bark. Flies June-July. Larva feeds in the wood of deciduous trees, notably willows and poplars; it is sometimes found wandering in search of a pupation site. Local and mainly in southern England.
    133108.jpg
  • 7-Spot Ladybird larva - Coccinella 7-punctata
    141140.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • December Moth - Poecilocampa populi - Larvae. Length 17-19mm. A sombre-looking moth with a hairy body. Adult has dusky-brown wings, with buff and reddish outer margins and pale cross lines. The body is hairy; front of head is whitish. Male is smaller than female. Flies mainly November-December. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread and common across much of Britain.
    157401.jpg
  • Silver-washed Fritillary - Argynnis paphia - larva. 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.
    157342.jpg
  • Cobweb Beetle larva - Ctesias serrais. On cobweb of Tegenaria. Protected by its long hairs against the spiders whose cobwebs it frequents looking for the dry remains of insects left by the spiders. It is a relative of the well known Woolly Bear Carpet Beetle larvae.
    157119.jpg
  • Cobweb Beetle larva - Ctesias serrais. Protected by its long hairs against the spiders whose cobwebs it frequents looking for the dry remains of insects left by the spiders. It is a relative of the well known Woolly Bear Carpet Beetle larvae.
    157118.jpg
  • Cobweb Beetle larva - Ctesias serrais. Protected by its long hairs against the spiders whose cobwebs it frequents looking for the dry remains of insects left by the spiders. It is a relative of the well known Woolly Bear Carpet Beetle larvae.
    157117.jpg
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas - larva
    144749.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.
    113568.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
  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
    144964.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.
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  • 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.
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  • The Snout - Hypena proboscidalis Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its angular wings spread flat, forming a triangle, its long palps projecting as a ‘snout’. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown forewings; these are marked dark cross lines. Double-brooded: flies June-August, and again in late September. Larva feeds on Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout.
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  • Red-tipped Clearwing - Synanthedon formicaeformis. Length 11-14mm. A fly-like, day-flying moth. Adult has mainly black body with red band on abdomen. Wings are mainly clear but note the red tips and red leading edge to forewing. Larva feeds in stems of sallows and willows. Widespread but commonest in southern England.
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Leatherjacket - larva of cranefly Tipula sp
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  • HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD LARVA Harmonia axyridis EATING APHID
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  • Harlequin Ladybird - Harmonia axyridis larva
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  • Great Diving Beetle Larva - Dytiscus marginatus
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  • Cockchafer Larva - Melolontha melolontha
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  • Dot Moth Melanchra persicarieae Length 18-20mm. A striking and aptly-named moth. At rest the wings are usually held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has blackish forewings with deep bluish marbling, brown flecks and a white kidney spot. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and very common in southern and central Britain.
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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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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Garden Tiger Arctia caja Wingspan 50-65mm. A stunning and distinctive moth. Usually rests with its wings spread flat, the forewings covering the hindwings. Adult has a variable pattern of brown and white on forewings; if startled, these are spread to reveal the dark-spotted orange hindwings. Flies July–August. Larva is hairy and feeds on a wide range of herbaecous plants. Widespread but these days it is scarce as a garden species; seems to be commonest in coastal areas.
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  • 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.
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  • Mottled Sedge - Glyphotaelius pellucidus<br />
caddis fly larva
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  • 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.
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  • Scalloped Hook-tip - Falcaria lacertinaria. Length 20mm. A distinctive moth that, at rest, holds its wings in a tent-like manner and looks like a dead leaf. Adult has wings with scalloped edges and dark veins; wings are reddish grey in male, yellow-brown in female. Double-brooded: flies May-June and again in August. Larva feeds on birch leaves. STATUS Widespread and fairly common throughout much of Britain.
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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
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  • Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria Wingspan 30-40mm. A well-marked and subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings folded above body. Adult has angular, jagged margins to wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are orange-brown with purplish-grey marbling and dark cross lines. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
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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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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Oleander Hawk-moth larva- Daphnis nerii
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  • Midge Larva - Chironomus sp
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