Male and female Jersey Mochas have emerged from the overwintered pupae of caterpillars reared last year. The eggs had been laid by a migrant Jersey Mocha attracted to light on the Lizard Peninsular by John Foster.
Records of this species are on the increase in the south of England but the only confirmed resident population is thought to be at a coastal site a few miles from Falmouth.
Having previously attracted this species to light in our Falmouth garden it would not be surprising if there was a resident population in the woods nearby.
The hope is that by having reared the caterpillars and observed the feeding signs and various larval growth stages a local population will be that much easier to find. Well, that’s the theory, anyway!
More life cycle information and photographs are featured in the Jersey Mocha species page.
More moths are featured in the Moth Galleries and species pages.
Moth caterpillars ae featured in the Moth Caterpillar Galleries and species pages.
Butterflies are featured in the Butterfly Galleries and species pages.
Butterfly caterpillars are featured in the Butterfly Caterpillar Galleries and species pages.