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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.
    144913.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.
    141643.jpg
  • Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata Wingspan 26-29mm. An attractive moth whose rounded wings are spread flat at rest. Adult has greenish-yellow wings overall when fresh although colours soon fade. Forewing has a dark central band and outer margin is usually pale. Flies May-June, with sometimes a second brood in August in the south. Larva feeds on range of shrubs including Holly and Ivy. Widespread but local.
    141355.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140955.jpg
  • Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata Wingspan 30-34mm. A variable moth that holds its wings flat at rest. Adult has forewings whose background colour varies from orange-buff to dull grey-brown. All have a dark central band that broadens at leading edge of wing. Pine Carpet T. firmata is similar but dark band on forewing is more indented. Larva feeds on pines and spruces. Widespread and common wherever larval foodplant trees are grown.
    140526.jpg
  • 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.
    136224.jpg
  • November Moth Epirrita dilutata Wingspan 20mm. A classic autumn moth that is often attracted outside house lights and found resting on nearby walls. Its rounded wings are spread flat at rest. Almost impossible to separate from Pale November Moth E. chrystyi. Adult has marbled grey and brown wings, with concentric, jagged cross lines. Some individuals have a central dark spot within central band. Flies October-November. Larva feeds on a variety of shrubs and trees. Widespread and common.
    132857.jpg
  • Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis Length 11-14mm. An unusual day-flying moth that recalls a small wasp. Adult has a black body with six yellow bands on the abdomen. Wings are mainly clear with dark veins, yellow tips and orange patches. Flies June-August. Larva feeds on roots of Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Kidney Vetch.
    128363.jpg
  • Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis Length 24mm. An appropriately named moth which does indeed have markings on its wings that resemble the number 80. At rest, wings are held wrapped around body. Apart from the white number marking, adult’s forewings are grey-brown. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on Aspen and poplars. Locally common only in southern and central Britain.
    128020.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.
    122861.jpg
  • Brown-tail - Euproctis chrysorrhea<br />
72.012 (2029)
    158642.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
  • 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.
    143221.jpg
  • 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.
    140981.jpg
  • July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata Wingspan 25-30mm. A very variable moth, come forms of which are stunningly colourful; the broad, pointed-tip wings are held flat at rest. Adult typically has distinctive bluish-green forewings with two narrow dark cross bands. Some individuals are yellowish or brown overall. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on sallows, Hazel, Bilberry and Heather. Widespread and common.
    140972.jpg
  • Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Wingspan 30-35mm. An attractive moth whose wings are held flat at rest creating a narrowly- triangular outline. Adult is rather variable in appearance with variable amounts of red and green. The typical form is green overall with dark cross bands and red patches or lines. In some forms, the red is entirely absent. Flies September-October, and again in spring after hibernation. Larva feeds on oaks and Rowan. Widespread and locally common.
    140688.jpg
  • Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes Length 23-25mm. An attractive moth that rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has variably buffish-brown to grey-brown forewings, usually with two dark spots and faint pale cross lines. Hindwings are yellow with a narrow, black subterminal band and dark crescent mark. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    140362.jpg
  • Hornet Moth Sesia apiformis Wingspan 35-45mm. Strikingly colourful day-flying moth that is passable mimic of a true Hornet, in terms of appearance and behaviour. Adult has yellow and black bands on body and orange-framed clear wings. Flies June-July. Larva burrows inside wood of Black Poplar. Pupal remains and newly-emerged adults are sometimes found on trunks. Local and mainly in southern and central England.
    134362.jpg
  • 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.
    128289.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.
    127930.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.
    115822.jpg
  • Buff-tip - Phalera bucephala
    162643.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
  • 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.
    145917.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
  • 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.
    144908.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
  • 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
  • Early Moth Theria primaria Wingspan 32-35mm. A winter-flying species. Female is wingless; male rests with forewings overlapping one another. Adult male has brown overall, the outer third of the forewing paler than the inner two thirds (which contains a dark spot) and defined by a dark line. Flies January-February. Larva feeds on Blackthorn and Hawthorn. Widespread and locally common in lowland Britain.
    141273.jpg
  • Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata Wingspan 20mm. A well-marked little moth with narrow wings that are held flat at rest. Adult has marbled brown wings with a dark spot in the centre of the forewing, and a dark patch near its trailing edge. Flies April-May. Larva feeds on oaks and Hawthorn. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales; local in lowland Scotland.
    141237.jpg
  • Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta Length 19-21mm. A variable and subtly attractive moth, despite the uninspiring name. Rests with its wings held flat, often one forewing partly the other. Adult forewing colour ranges from dark brown to grey-buff; usually visible are a dark central patch and two dark streaks towards the outer margin. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, notably oaks. Widespread and common.
    141218.jpg
  • 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.
    140992.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140710.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.
    140670.jpg
  • The Streak Chesias legatella Wingspan 30-35mm. A distinctive moth that rests with its narrow forewings overlapping one another. Adult has marbled grey-brown forewings with a long, narrow white streak running parallel to leading edge. Flies September-October. Larva feeds on Broom. Widespread and fairly common throughout.
    140593.jpg
  • Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria Wingspan 22-25mm. A colourful moth whose broadly rounded wings are held flat at rest. Adult has forewings that are bright lime-green when newly emerged with a broad, darker central band, outlined in white; the colours fade with time. Flies May-July. Larva feeds on bedstraws. Widespread and common throughout much of lowland Britain.
    139939.jpg
  • Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis Length 11-14mm. An unusual day-flying moth that recalls a small wasp. Adult has a black body with six yellow bands on the abdomen. Wings are mainly clear with dark veins, yellow tips and orange patches. Flies June-August. Larva feeds on roots of Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Kidney Vetch.
    132829.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.
    130990.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.
    127802.jpg
  • Early Moth Theria primaria Wingspan 32-35mm. A winter-flying species. Female is wingless; male rests with forewings overlapping one another. Adult male has brown overall, the outer third of the forewing paler than the inner two thirds (which contains a dark spot) and defined by a dark line. Flies January-February. Larva feeds on Blackthorn and Hawthorn. Widespread and locally common in lowland Britain.
    127359.jpg
  • Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Wingspan 22-26mm. The classic moth of winter, whose rounded wings (only males have wings) are held flat at rest. Often seen flying in car headlights, or found resting on walls near outside lights. To see wingless female, look for mating pairs by torchlight on foodplant. Adult male has grey-brown wings with concentric cross lines. Flies November–February. Larva feeds on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and common.
    120914.jpg
  • The Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix Length 19-21mm. A colourful and unmistakable moth that rests with its wings spread flat. It hibernates in sheds and barns. Adult has forewings with ragged outer margins; they are brown with orange patches and white cross lines. Flies August–November, then March–April after hibernation. Larva feeds on willows and poplars. Widespread and locally common in southern and central Britain; range is much more patchy further north.
    118483.jpg
  • Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Length 17-19mm. A rather plain grassland moth. At rest, wings are held in a tent-like manner. Adult has buffish forewings with whitish veins; hindwings are whitish. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on various grasses. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    113960.jpg
  • Early Grey Xylocampa areola Length 17-19mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with its wings held in a tent-like manner. ADULT has variably grey forewings with dark streaks, a dark irregular line parallel with the trailing edge and a pale kidney-shaped mark. Flies March-May. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle. Widespread and generally common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    113601.jpg
  • Silver Y Autographa gamma Length 20-22mm. A familiar migrant moth that flies in the daytime as well as at night. It rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-brown forewings with a bold white ‘Y’ marking that is diagnostic. Flies May–October. Larva feeds on a range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common in most years; it migrates from southern Europe and also breeds in Britain.
    108264.jpg
  • Svensson's Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera Length 24-26mm. A well-marked moth that is very similar to Copper Underwing. Rests with its wings held flat, or with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Often congregates communally in dark places in the daytime. ADULT has brown forewings overall, marked with jagged white and dark lines, and showing a pale central eyespot. The hindwing underside has an orange flush that extends towards the base of wing on the trailing edge (more extensive than in Copper Underwing). Seen head-on, the palps are dark with whitish tips. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and generally common in southern and central Britain.
    158774.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
  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
    143223.jpg
  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
    141228.jpg
  • Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa Length 17-19mm. A variable moth that rests with its wings held flat, one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that can range from reddish brown to grey-brown; all forms show a squarish pale spot and a pale kidney-shaped spot on the forewings. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    140691.jpg
  • Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes Length 23-25mm. An attractive moth that rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has variably buffish-brown to grey-brown forewings, usually with two dark spots and faint pale cross lines. Hindwings are yellow with a narrow, black subterminal band and dark crescent mark. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
    140680.jpg
  • Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that has furry legs and head end. It usually rests with it wings held in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from bluish-grey to buffish-brown; all colour forms show a broad, darker cross band with a small eyespot outlined in black. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales, and central Scotland.
    140510.jpg
  • Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina Length 30mm. A distinctive, elongated moth that resembles a fragment of wood. Adult has pale greyish-buff forewings; seen sideways on it has prominences along the back, palps that project at head end, and a projecting tufted tip to the abdomen. Double-brooded in the south: flies May–June, and again in August. Larva feeds on sallows and Aspen. Widespread and common in southern and central England and Wales; more local further north.
    140451.jpg
  • Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula Length 17mm. A distinctive and attractive moth that rests with its wings rolled in tight tent-like manner. Adult has grey-brown forewings with dark-edged white cross lines and maroon tip; when alarmed, exposes brown-tipped abdomen. Double-brooded: flies May–June, and again August-September. Larva feeds on Aspen, poplars and willows. Locally common only in southern England.
    140249.jpg
  • Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Length 25mm. An extremely common moth. Rests with wings held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Easily disturbed from vegetation in daytime, when yellow pattern on hindwing becomes obvious. Adult has marbled brown and purplish-grey forewings and yellow hindwings with a narrow subterminal black border. Flies June–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and extremely common.
    140232.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.
    127897.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.
    110758.jpg
  • 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.
    157501.jpg
  • 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.
    157494.jpg
  • Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria Wingspan 32-38mm. A beautifully marked moth that rests with its wings held at an acute angle or folded above body at rest. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The undersides of the wings (that seen at rest) are purplish-brown, flushed orange-brown towards the base. Each wing has a white, angular crescent-moon mark. Flies April-May, and sometimes in August as a second brood. Larva feeds on deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common.
    157416.jpg
  • 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.
    145212.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.
    141331.jpg
  • March Moth  Alsophila aescularia Length 19mm. A distinctive, narrow-winged moth. Wings overlap one another at rest. Adult male has buffish-grey and brown wings; female is wingless and found crawling on tree trunks after dark. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, notably oaks and Hawthorn. Widespread but commonest in central and southern Britain.
    141210.jpg
  • Small Brindled Beauty Apocheima hispidaria Wingspan 30-35mm. A rather sombre-looking moth that appears in late winter. Females are wingless and found on tree trunks. Male rests with wings spread flat; the forewings are yellowish-brown, usually with dark cross bands and lines, and the outer margin is often pale. Head and thorax are ‘hairy’ and antennae are feathery. Flies February-March. Larva feeds on various deciduous trees and shrubs. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain.
    141207.jpg
  • The Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines Length 16-18mm. A uniformly-marked moth that is hard to distinguish from The Rustic. It usually rests with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult typically has rather matt yellowish-brown forewings with dark cross lines and a central dark spot and kidney-shaped mark. Flies June-August. Larva feeds on various low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread but commonest in central and southern Britain.
    141059.jpg
  • Ghost moth Hepialus humili Length 25-30mm. A strikingly pale moth. Adult male has white wings with faintly darker veins; the body and legs are yellowish. Adult female has yellow wings with orange markings. Flies June-July. Larva is subterranean and feeds on roots of grasses and other plants. Widespread and common.
    140963.jpg
  • December Moth Poecilocampa populi 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.
    140904.jpg
  • September Thorn Ennomos erosaria Wingspan 30-34mm. A well-marked moth that rests with its wings held at acute angle, creating a leaf-like appearance. Adult has angular, jagged margins to its wings. The forewings are yellowish-brown and marked with two dark cross lines: outer third of wing is dusky brown while inner two thirds are yellowish brown. Flies July-October. Larva feeds mainly on birches and oaks. Widespread but commonest in south.
    140807.jpg
  • Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Wingspan 30-35mm. An attractive moth whose wings are held flat at rest creating a narrowly- triangular outline. Adult is rather variable in appearance with variable amounts of red and green. The typical form is green overall with dark cross bands and red patches or lines. In some forms, the red is entirely absent. Flies September-October, and again in spring after hibernation. Larva feeds on oaks and Rowan. Widespread and locally common.
    140779.jpg
  • The V-Pug Chlorclystis v-ata Wingspan 15-19mm. A colourful little moth, easily recognised by its colour and diagnostic markings. Rests with wings spread flat, forewings mostly covering hindwings. Adult is bright green overall, with distinct black ‘V’ mark near leading edge of forewing. Flies May-June, with a second brood in the south, in August. Larva feeds on Elder, Hawthorn and Bramble. Widespread but commonest in south.
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  • Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Wingspan 25-30mm. A well-marked moth whose wing colours and patterns are extremely variable. Adult has variably marbled wings. Some forms have overall brown and white wings with a broad dark band; others have a broad chestnut band or patch on otherwise dark wings. Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata is similarly patterned and variable; outer edge of central band is more angular. Larva feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
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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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  • 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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  • Orange Swift Hepialus sylvina Length 20-24mm. An attractive moth. Adult male has orange-brown wings with a diagonal white lines and black markings. Adult female has orange-buff or brown wings with whitish bands. Flies July-September Larva feeds on roots of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
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  • Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Wingspan 16-19mm. A beautifully patterned moth whose narrow wings are spread flat at rest. Adult is usually brownish overall, the wings marked with concentric dark bands and lines, two of which are bold and give species its name. Double brooded: flies April-May and again in August. Larva feeds on various shrubs including Holly, Ivy, gorses and buddleias. Widespread and fairly common.
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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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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Mullein Moth - Shargacucullia verbasci
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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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  • 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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  • Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe Length 20-23mm. An attractively marked moth that rests with wings held flat, one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has reddish-brown forewings with subtle purplish-grey banding and a reddish margin to the outer leading edge. There is a neatly defined pale front end. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Widespread throughout but commonest in southern Britain.
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  • 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.
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  • Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis Wingspan 25-38mm. A distinctive moth that sometimes is found resting on wayside vegetation in daytime. Adult has buffish wings with dark lines and veins, and mother-of-pearl lustre. Flies June-Aug. Larva feeds in rolled-up leaf of Common Nettle. Widespread and common throughout much of Britain.
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  • The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii Length 17-19mm. An appropriately-named moth that rests with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings with a right-angle tip; they are chestnut-brown with dark grey, jagged cross lines. Overwinters (hibernating in cold spells) and flies September-May. Larva feeds on oaks, birches and other deciduous trees. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
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  • Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Length 17-19mm. A distinctive moth that has furry legs and head end. It usually rests with it wings held in a tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from bluish-grey to buffish-brown; all colour forms show a broad, darker cross band with a small eyespot outlined in black. Flies May–July. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably birches and Hazel. Widespread and locally common in southern and central England and Wales, and central 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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  • Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa Length 17-19mm. A variable moth that rests with its wings held flat, one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that can range from reddish brown to grey-brown; all forms show a squarish pale spot and a pale kidney-shaped spot on the forewings. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread and common.
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  • Old Lady Mormo maura Length 33-35mm. A broad-winged, subtly attractive moth that rests with its wings held flat; it is well camouflaged when resting on weathered fence panels. Sometimes comes indoors through open windows. Adult has grey-brown forewings with bands of dark brown and lilac-grey. Flies July-August. Larva feeds on deciduous shrubs and trees, notably Blackthorn. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local further north.
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  • Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata Wingspan 16-19mm. A very narrow-winged pug whose wings are spread flat when at rest with a gap between hindwings and abdome. Adult has wing markings and colours that create the impression of a bird-dropping: the whitish forewings have a dark spot on the middle of the leading edge, and a buff band and dark lines. Double-brooded: on the wing April-August. Larava feeds on a variety of low-growing plants. Widespread and common.
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  • Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria Wingspan 19-24mm. Beautiful moth that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has yellow-buff upperwings, flushed with orange towards centre and with two rows of dark dots; hindwings are pale yellow-buff. A dark reddish line runs across both pairs of wings. Double-brooded: flies May-June, and again in August. Larva feeds on oaks. Locally common only in southern England.
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  • Mullein Moth - Shargacucullia verbasci
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  • The Streamer - Anticlea derivata
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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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  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda<br />
73.245 (2182)<br />
Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
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