Today's #MothOfTheDay is one of the wood mimic moths

MULLEIN
Cucullia verbasci

Often seen in abundance as caterpillars on mullein plants, this is what those multicoloured larvae turn into.

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Today's #MothOfTheDay was one of only 7 visitors last night despite favourable conditions (mild, cloudy, still).

MUSLIN MOTH
Diaphora mendica

This is a male (charcoal grey). Females creamy white. Larvae feed on dock and chickweed and is relatively common round these parts.

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Another numerically abysmal night, but of the three #moth visitors, at least one was a first sighting in 2026 for me.

LUNAR MARBLED BROWN
Drymonia ruficornis

Note the moon-shaped crescents on its wings, from where it gets its name. Common in southern UK.

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Very few moths last night, but today's #MothOfTheDay is a first 2026 sighting of

OAK-TREE PUG
Eupithecia dodoneata

Often confused with Brindled Pug which are almost identical save for some minor marking differences. These two preferred the hanging sheet to the moth box.

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#MothOfTheDay was the first sighting in 2026 for the furry cloak of

NUT-TREE TUSSOCK
Colocasia coryli

Larvae feed on multiple trees, including Beech, Oak, and probably in this case, next door's Field Maple. A common and well-distributed moth.

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#MothOfTheDay is a little spring beauty. Thought I had just the usuals last night, but then this was on the wall nearby

STREAMER
Anticlea derivata

A geometer moth (ie, lies flat against a surface). More flighty and won't sit on fingers like noctuids! Pretty common and larvae feed on dog-rose.

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A lovely little Pine Beauty in the moth trap at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre yesterday 😎

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Still struggling a bit with very low night time temperatures, early season and lack of species diversity. Today's #MothOfTheDay is another early season regular. Small, compact, plain but appealing white pepper appearance

SMALL QUAKER
orthosia cruda

Very common. Larvae feed on sallow.

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Still very early in the season. Chilly nights = few species/numbers currently.

However, today's #MothOfTheDay is another new species for my garden.

BLOSSOM UNDERWING
Orthosia miniosa

Larvae feed on oak. Pinkish hue to underwing (see next take off video)

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