Moths have started to emerge from the pupae collected on the silk webs last week at Poldhu Cove on The Lizard – see post. As expected, they are a species of Ermine moth. Although not 100% certain, all the evidence … Read More
The moth caterpillars responsible for spinning these extensive silk webs coating Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) at Poldhu Cove on The Lizard peninsular in Cornwall at the weekend, had already pupated (shown left). It seems likely they were Orchard Ermine but to … Read More
Two Hummingbird Hawk-moths were seen nectaring on Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) at Poldhu Cove on The Lizard peninsular on Saturday (one shown above left). So far this year there haven’t been many to report but in the last few days … Read More
This Broad-barred White moth was attracted to light at our flat in Falmouth. A fairly common species here in Cornwall and last year we found its caterpillar feeding on Beaked Hawk’s-beard (Crepis vesicaria) on the slopes above the cliffs at … Read More
Several Silver Hook were disturbed from sedges during a walk through marshy areas of Penhale Sands, on the north Cornwall coast. It’s a species easily put up during the day and it doesn’t fly far before landing again on a … Read More
The hedgerows leading down to Rosemullion Head, near the Helford River in Cornwall, were alive yesterday afternoon with Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) moths. We can’t recall ever before seeing so many of this species flying during the day anywhere in … Read More
It’s a day flying The Cinnabar moth. Although normally a nocturnal flyer, The Cinnabar moths are often disturbed during the day when they will flutter weakly a short distance before settling again in the grass. This one was disturbed from … Read More
The appropriately named Bright-line Brown-eye moth is also known as the Tomato Moth in gardening circles because its caterpillars are considered a pest of cultivated tomato plants. Last night we attracted our first Bright-line Brown-eye moth of the year to … Read More
Yes, you’re probably thinking Blue Shark (Prionace glauca), Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and Porbeagle Shark (Lamna nasus) that do frequent Cornish waters but I’m talking about these sharks that were attracted to a garden light! The Chamomile Shark (Cucullia chamomillae) … Read More
This image of the tiny moth Incurvaria masculella says it all. The trouble you take to first find your tiny creature, then get it to behave and finally get the camera to perform, only to find once the images are … Read More
Amongst recent moth sightings here in Falmouth, Cornwall have been several specimens of the recent colonist from Australia: the Light Brown Apple Moth. Thought to have been accidentally imported into Cornwall in the 1930s this highly variable little moth is … Read More
Moths are often looked upon as the poor relative to butterflies but they are in fact far more numerous with over 2,500 species recorded in the UK compared to about 60 butterfly species. They are also considered by many to … Read More