Migrant moths arriving in Cornwall

Warm air flows rising up from Europe and Africa have brought many migrant moths to Cornwall in the last few days. Ten different migrant species of all shapes, sizes and colours have been attracted to the garden moth trap here in Falmouth.

One of the more common migrants has been The Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) which have shown dramatically varied coloured wing stripes.

A solitary, tiny Small Marbled (Eublemma parva) was a welcome rarer visitor and with a wingspan of little more than 15mm is yet another miraculous example of a tiny creature travelling hundreds of miles.

Several Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera) have also been recorded most nights together with other more common migratory moth species.

Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) are normally seen hovering at flowers during the day but are occassionally attracted to light and look very different when seen motionless.