Moths

The weather continues to be unseasonably warm here in Cornwall and migrant butterflies and moths are still around in good numbers. Hummingbird Hawk-moths are one of the species commonly being seen and the caterpillars and moths that emerged in early … Read More

A Bloxworth Snout, Hypena obsitalis, found hibernating in the garden shed was a new moth species for the garden. This Red Data Book species has only recently colonised parts of the south coast but now looks to have firmly established … Read More

It’s not everyday that I’m invited to see and photograph a moth species new to me. And certainly not one as fascinating as the Sandhill Rustic with its four subspecies, Leechi, knilli, guennee and demuthi, each differing slightly in appearance, … Read More

Caterpillars on Supermarket produce immediately raise the possibility that they have been imported from a foreign country. So on receiving images of several caterpillars on supermarket mint from Anneli in West Berkshire I was naturally suspicious but also curious. A … Read More

Please see the latest Elephant Hawkmoth species page with complete life cycle photographs and information on this link – the Elephant Hawkmoth The Elephant Hawkmoth and Small Elephant Hawkmoth, two of the most colourful moths to be found in the … Read More

In the last few days the first main influx of Hummingbird Hawk-moths of the year have arrived in the British Isles. These migrant moths are always a delight to watch as they hover at flowers like tiny hummingbirds. A delight, … Read More

During a search for Lackey moth webs at Penhale Sands we came across three small webs containing hundreds of tiny caterpillars. Although too early to be certain of the caterpillars identity, being on Hawthorn suggests they are likely to be … Read More

The Cream-spot Tiger Moth, Arctia villica, caterpillar saved from being run over by traffic on the main Lands End to St Ives link road ( See Cream-spot Tiger Rescue) has emerged from its pupa. At the time it had seemed … Read More

The tiny moth Esperia sulphurella can easily be overlooked or dismissed as a tiny brown moth. With a wingspan of as little as 12mm and an overall brownish colouring this is understandable. However, on taking a closer look, or better … Read More

This Magpie Moth caterpillar abseiled down a silk thread as I was planting a Clematis in the garden. Not only is it one of the most distinctive caterpillars of the large Geometridae family of moths but it is also easily … Read More

Several male Emperor Moths were active during the day at Kennack Sands, on the Lizard. They were flying quickly over the tops of heather searching out the nocturnal females hidden in the vegetation. It always sounds a little odd to … Read More

This Cream-spot Tiger moth caterpillar was about to be run over by cars on the busy St Ives to Lands End coastal road. Having stopped the traffic to rescue it from impending disaster I placed it in a pot with … Read More