#MothOfTheDay is

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

The highlight of my walk today along the sand dunes around Dungarvan Bay. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth, not native but a very welcome visitor.

It’s a terrible picture but I’m just glad I got anything to be honest.

#ireland #biodiversity #mothsandbutterflies

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

Die Federgeistchen (Alucita sp.) sehen mit ihren charakteristisch geformten Flügeln, den starren Stacheln und beidseitig abstehenden federartigen Borsten schon sehr eigentümlich aus. Bild 2 zeigt die Unterseite eines auf einer Scheibe sitzenden Exemplars.

#insects #insect #insekten #nature #natur #MothsAndButterflies #schmetterlinge #lepidoptera #Federgeistchen #Alucitidae
#InsectsOfTheFediverse

Milder last night before I head off on my hols for 10 days, and this big beast paid me a visit

#MothOfTheDay is

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

#MothOfTheDay is a small bundle known as

TOADFLAX BROCADE
Calophasia lunula

Local to southeast and parts of central UK, often more numerous near shingle beaches, its larvae feed on toadflax.

#moths #moth #mothsandbutterflies #butterflies #MothsMatter #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife #lepidoptera #entomology #insect #cute #garden #spring #May #conservation #biodiversity #alttext