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
John Cooke attracted this Pine Beauty moth to light in his garden. Overnight she laid eggs, some of which had stuck to her wings. The eggs will be held, the emergent caterpillars reared through and the adult moths then released … Read More
In fact, it’s a daytime flying moth. Our first Speckled Yellow (Pseudopanthera macularia) moth of the year was seen flying along a cliff top hedgerow over-looking the Helford River in Cornwall. It didn’t settle for a photo so this is … Read More
Emperor Moths are on the wing again and yesterday afternoon we saw our first male of the year flying quickly over bramble at St Gothian Sands Local Nature Reserve on the North Cornwall Coast. Insight: Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) males … Read More
Lots of these tiny daytime flying moths, Adela cuprella, were feeding on sallows. Although there appear to be few records for VC1 this may be due to under-recording. Insight: Adela cuprella is one of the family of micro moths often … Read More
The Gorse Moth or Gorse Bud Moth Cydia ulicetana has been well recorded in recent days during our South West Coast Path walks around the Helford Estuary. Insight: Cydia ulicetana is common on moorland and heathland in much of the … Read More
A Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) moth was seen nectaring on sallow blossom during the day in the Nanquidno Valley near Land’s End in Cornwall. It was too far away to photograph so this image is from our library. Insight: This … Read More
More in hope than expectation the 15 watt actinic light was left to run for the first time overnight. A single Acleris cristana was the only moth but at least it’s a start. Insight: Acleris cristana is a micro moth … Read More
Common name: The Herald Latin name: Scoliopteryx libatrix Family: Noctuidae » Ophiderinae Flies: can be recorded January to December This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: Hibernates over winter. Can be one of the last … Read More
Common name: Mottled Umber Latin name: Erannis defoliaria Family: Geometridae » Ennominae Flies: October to December This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: A fairly common moth found in many habitats and in much of … Read More
Common name: December Moth Latin name: Poecilocampa populi Family: Lasiocampidae Flies: October to December This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: A fairly common moth found in much of the UK. It’s appropriately named being … Read More
A Common Marbled Carpet was attracted to the lounge light. Our first moth species since moving to Falmouth last week. Insight: A very common moth found throughout the UK. The colour of the species can be extremely variable with some … Read More