#MothOfTheDay did not hang around long. An attempted prize off the egg box and he was off into the nearest tree.
SWALLOW-TAILED
Ourapteryx sambucaria
One of our largest geometers (flat moths!) Common, but rather flighty nightflyers. Larvae primarily feed on ivy.
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #June #conservation #biodiversity #alttext
#MothOfTheDay is not the best photo, but at 5:30am, wakey-wakey eyes, trying to photo a moth the size of a speck of rice, is not easy! Micromoth called
COMFREY ERMINE
Ethmia quadrillella
Larvae feed off comfrey and lungwort (both aplenty in our garden).
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #June #conservation #biodiversity #alttext #educate #science
PEPPERED MOTH
Biston betularia
A great example of #Darwin #evolution. Sooty industrialisation led to melanic black forms being prevalent. Industrialisation ends, melanics disappear & paler forms re-emerge.
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #June #conservation #education #biodiversity #alttext
#MothOfTheDay is a greyscale beauty.
POPLAR GREY
Subacronicta megacephala
As its name suggests, larvae is rather fond of poplar trees. One of the 'dagger' moths, this chap should be darker and is now strikingly similar to the Sycamore moth, but the white patches identify it as Poplar Grey.
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #June #conservation #biodiversity #alttext
Today#s #MothOfTheDay is a fab named #moth. Seen on our 15-mile walk yesterday
MOTHER SHIPTON
Callistege mi
Day flyer, named after 17C #witch, Old Mother Shipton. Look closely, wing markings resemble mirrored witch's face (dot near edge is eye, then white line outline witch's nose and witch's chin).
#moths #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #garden #spring #June #conservation #biodiversity #alttext #history
#MothOfTheDay is another twig mimic. This is called
FLAME
Axylia putris
Not overly visible here, but gets its name from dark streaks on its forewing said to resemble scorched wood. But it is certainly a fine twig mimic!
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #June #conservation #biodiversity #alttext
First moth box since my holiday and frustrated I missed the heatwave, which would have been bumper. But back to cool, clear nights again, so not much doing.
FOUR-SPOTTED FOOTMAN
Lithosia quadra
Only the females have four spots, and even then, only three are visible. This is a male.
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #June #conservation #biodiversity #alttext
If you’re interested in plants, butterflies - British wildlife generally in fact - and poetry, you may want to check out this blog. There are also posts about volunteering at an African chimp sanctuary and a trip to Canada.
A friend sent me the link. It’s a good read - even for someone like me who can’t tell one butterfly or bird from the next.
https://bugwomanlondon.com/2026/05/
#britishwildlife #butterflies #botany #poetry #chimps #canada #wildlife #insects #africa #britain #blog #shakespeare #ednastvincentmillay #plants #sorrel #pond #birds
Milder last night before I head off on my hols for 10 days, and this big beast paid me a visit
POPLAR HAWK-MOTH
Laothoe populi
Common, but impressive with a 9cm wingspan in flight and the cutest of cute Muppet-like fuzzy face.
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #May #conservation #biodiversity #alttext
Quiet recently - unseasonably cold weather. Temps are rising this wknd but am away for 10 days so will hope they're still up on my return. A few last night incl. one of the most photographed moths
BUFF TIP
Phalera bucephala
#Birch twig mimic. Extremely common. Bigger than you think - about 5cm long
#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #May #conservation #biodiversity #alttext
hastingsmothman
w