"A Nature Observer′s Scrapbook"
Macro Moths, page 5
Green-brindled Crescent
Allophyes oxyacanthae
The Green-brindled Crescent is a striking moth. The dull metallic green markings, very like the patina seen on old copper or bronze, are unmistakable. At rest on lichen covered tree bark, it will be very well camouflaged. The 'crescent' reference in the common name is less obvious. It refers to the small white crescent shaped marks close to the forewing trailing edge, just beyond the dark cross band.
There is a darker form, that lacks the dusting of green wing scales, and that is more usually found in urban industrial areas.
It is a single generation species, flying from September to November, when it can be found at Ivy flowers and over-ripe fruit.
Eggs are laid singly on the twigs of the food plant late in the year and will not hatch until the Spring foliage breaks out.
The larvae feed from April to June on a wide range of plants including Hawthorn, Blackthorn, crab apple, dog rose and cotoneasters.
| Date | Sighting |
| 25.09.1999 | Attracted to light. |
| 05.10.2007 | Attracted to light. |
| 01.10.2008 | Attracted to light. |
| 26.09.2009 | Attracted to light - and a frequent visitor throughout October. |
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Sallow
Xanthia icteritia
There are several Sallow species all with their subtle 'look-a-like' qualities and a range of variations within each species. Fortunately, this image is of a mid range specimen of the Sallow, Xanthia icteritia, species. So, while paler or darker individuals are seen - with more - or less, intense markings, this is a good baseline model.
The single generation is widespread throughout the UK from August to October and can be seen supping Ivy flower nectar and over-ripe fruit juices.
Eggs are laid close to catkin buds on sallows and poplars and will overwinter there until spring. On hatching, the larvae will feed within the catkins until after the catkins fall. Thereafter the larvae will feed on herbaceous plants such as Docks for several weeks before pupating in an underground cocoon.
| Date | Sighting |
| 22.09.2006 | Bathroom visitor, attracted to light. |
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Poplar Grey
Acronicta megacephala
The Poplar Grey, as it's name suggests, is usually associated with Poplar trees, - and sallows. It flies from May to August and can be found mainly in the South of the UK but up to southern Scotland.
It can be identified from other grey moths by the white outlined circular (orbicular) wing mark and a pale patch below the kidney shaped (reniform) mark lower down the wing.
The greyish larva with sparse hair tufts sprouting from the sides of its body is invariably seen at rest with its head turned back alongside the body.
From September onwards it overwinters as a pupa in a loose cocoon in a crack in the tree bark.
| Date | Sighting |
| 01.07.2006 | Found on grey patio slab at night. |
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Sycamore
Acronicta aceris
The Sycamore moth is a pale grey moth which can be confused with its family relative, the Poplar Grey. It flies from June to August.
This brightly coloured larva was found caught in a spiders web under a Horse Chestnut tree. I presume that it had been partially paralysed by the spider because although it was relocated back on the tree, it barely moved over a period of days and did not survive.
The larvae can be found on Sycamore (!), Field Maple and Horse Chestnut. And pupate in a sturdy double layer coccon tucked into a crack in the tree bark - sometimes overwintering twice.
| Date | Sighting |
| 30.07.2006 | Found in spiders web, apparently paralysed. |
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Brown Rustic
Rusina ferrunginea
The Brown Rustic is subject to some variation in colour and intensity of markings and, particularly with the darker forms, it can sometimes be quite difficult to see the distinguishing features.
The upper image shows the two thin dark cross lines and the series of white dots on the leading edge of the wing that are constant and show up rather better in enlarged images than they would appear to the naked eye.
The male (forewing length 16 - 18mm) sports prominent feathered antennae, and is larger than the female which is usually less well marked.
The single generation generally fly in June and July although I have seen a solitary individual in mid-May. The males especially, are attracted to light,
From August through to April/May the larvae will feed at night on a wide range of plants including vetches, plantains and docks and will shelter from the worst of the winter weather beneath their food plants. Pupation takes place in an underground cocoon.
| Date | Sighting |
| 01.07.2006 | Attracted to light indoors. |
| 07.06.2007 | Attracted to light indoors. |
| 18.06.2008 | Attracted to light indoors. |
| 21.05.2009 | Attracted to light a lighted window. |
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Dun-bar
Cosmia trapezina
The Dun-bar moth is very variable in background coloration. The one seen here lies at the pale end of the range but they can extend through to dark brown with occasional grey and reddish forms. There is one form which has a dark brown band between the cross lines in the middle of the wings but generally the cross line markings are discrete and visible.
The single generation flies July to September. It over-winters as an egg and the larvae are found April to June.
The larvae have been found feeding on most broadleaved trees but will favour Pedunculate Oak, Elm, Birch, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Willow. Large larvae are known to be omnivivorous and will eat other moth larvae.
Being a broadleaved tree feeder, it is most common in woodland habitats.
| Date | Sighting |
| 25.07.2006 | Attracted to light at back-door. |
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Dark Arches
Apamea monoglypha
The Dark Arches is another moth which comes in various shades of background wing colour, from straw to dark brown but fortunately its wing markings are constant. Principally, the oval (orbicular) and kidney shaped (reniform) pale marks halfway down the wing are clearly seen. On the trailing edge of each forewing there is a white 'W' mark and high up on each wing shoulder there is an elongated dark 'V'.
On some of the darker northern forms the marks may not be so obvious but they can usually be detected, knowing where to look.
It is quite a large moth with a forewing length of 25mm. The single generation flies June to August.
Young larvae feed on small flowers but later, feed on the roots and stems of grasses from the safety of a ground level chamber in which it hibernates. Pupation takes place below ground.
| Date | Sighting |
| 08.07.2005 | Spent the night indoors and found on inside of window. |
| 29.07.2008 | Attracted to lighted window. |
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Middle-barred Minor
Oligia fasciuncula pallida
Oligia fasciuncula is a rather striking orange/brown moth with more distictive markings than seen here but I have it on good authority that this image is representative of the pallida form of the Middle-barred Minors.
Quite small, with a forewing length of about 12mm, it flies from June to July and is quite commonly seen day flying and supping nectar.
The small larvae feed primarily on Tufted Hairgrass and continue to feed at night throughout the winter, sheltering within the leaf sheath by day and the worst of the winter weather.
It pupates at the base of the foodplant during the month of May.
| Date | Sighting |
| 10.06.2003 | Three on Hogweed flowers. |
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Rosy Minor
Mesoligia literosa
My first impression of this Rosy Minor was that it was badly worn but, closer inspection showed it to be in good condition. What I had taken to be faded colours were in fact gently blended soft shades of fawn, grey and pinkish brown.
Worn specimens tend to lose hair on top of their thorax just behind the head but, as can be seen in the side view, this one was carrying it's dense tufts proudly.
With a forewing length of 13mm this is a medium sized species, flying in July and August.
It favours coastal areas and Marram grass but, it is also found in chalky calcareous grassland habitats, where the larvae feed on Cocks-foot grass, sedges and cereal crops.
In September, young larvae will initially feed on the root system then move up to feed from within the stem until the following June. Pupation takes place either in ground litter or below ground level.
| Date | Sighting |
| 31.07.2006 | Flew indoors attracted to light. |
| 15.08.2008 | Pale faded specimen attracted to light. |
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Common Rustic? -
........... Lesser Common Rustic?
Mesapamea secalis agg.
The Common Rustic and Lesser Common Rustic share many variations of colour and markings. Indeed it's only relatively recently that the Lesser Common Rustic was identified as a separate and distinct species. Since it takes microscopic examination to determine which is which, for the layman, naked eye identification is impossible and the only safe label to apply is 'Mesapamea secalis agg.', that is, one of the similar looking Common Rustic aggregate group.
It is the general rule when recording species that in the absence of certainty then the subject should be deemed to belong to an aggregate group of similar looking specie named after the statistically most common member.
That said, the upper image is thought 'probably' to be of a Common Rustic.
And the lower image, because of the chalky white kidney shaped marks and pale outer fringe on the wings, is thought 'possibly' to be of a Lesser Common Rustic.
But, in the absence of intrusive examination, neither identification can be considered certain.
Both species are considered common throughout the UK and produce only one generation per year, flying during the months of July and August. If a similar looking moth is found during the winter months, it will most likely be the Satellite moth, the following species.
Their larvae feed inside the stems of grasses from September to May and pupate throughout June in underground cocoons.
| Date | Sighting |
| 15.07.2006 | The 'possible' Lesser Common Rustic flew indoors, attracted to light. |
| 29.07.2009 | 'Probable' Common Rustic attracted to light. |
| 05.08.2009 | 'Probable' Common Rustic attracted to light. |
| 14.08.2009 | 'Probable' Common Rustic attracted to light. |
Satellite
Eupsilia transversa
If wing markings alone were used for identification purposes then this species could well be confused with the Common Rustic / Lesser Common Rustics moths (see previous species). But this is a winter flying species, to be found between October and April, whereas the previous specie are summer flying moths seen in July and August. The Satellite gets it's common name from the two little satellite dots either side of the larger dot on the wing. These dots are not always brilliant white as seen here.
As mentioned, the Satellite normally overwinters as an adult and the specimen seen on the right was found at night in late February resting on the tray of a bird feeder. When gently gathered up, it was seen to expel a few drops of liquid. Many moths sup nectar, fruit juices and water and this excess body fluid release may well have been just a natural response to the effects of the frosty night air. When it was released it disappeared into ivy clad hawthorn.
The larvae normally feed at night between April and June on the leaves of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel or Maple and hide during the day between folded leaves. As they mature, they are also known to predate on other caterpillars.
The species is regarded as common throughout most of the UK but less so in northern Scotland.
| Date | Sighting |
| 24.02.2010 | Pristine adult found at night on a well used bird feeder. (Living dangerously!) |
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Flounced Rustic
Luperina testacea
The Flounced Rustic is another species which can be quite variable in colour but consistent in its markings. The images show a mid-range form and a dark form. But pale straw - and intermediate versions, may also be found.
In coastal areas, further confusion can arise where the similar very variable Sandhill Rustic species is also to be found.
The single generation flies during August and September and is frequently attracted to light.
Being a late season moth, larvae may not hatch until September or October and will feed, weather permitting, throughout the winter. Extreme cold will induce a period of dormancy.
The larvae feed on the roots and stems of Common Couch, fescue grasses and sometimes cereals and spend much of their time underground where they will over-winter.
This subterranean existence results in a very pale almost colourless caterpillar. Pupation occurs in the leaf litter.
| Date | Sighting |
| 30.08.2005 | At rest on patio paving slabs. |
| 25.08.2006 | Flew indoors, attracted to light.. |
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Frosted Orange
Gortyna flavago
The Frosted orange is one of the more consistent moths. Variation is slight. So, with its clearly defined markings, it is one of the easier ones to identify. And, to make it easier still, when disturbed the moth will often feign death, tuck its legs up and lay perfecly still, then crawl slowly off into cover..
The single generation flies quite late in the year, from August to October and autumn laid eggs will overwinter and hatch in April.
The larvae feed inside the stems of strong growing plants such as Thistles, Burdocks and Foxgloves.
| Date | Sighting |
| 09.09.2004 | Found as it sought cover in grass bank in daylight. |
Mottled Rustic
Caradrina morpheus
The Mottled Rustic is one of several similar looking moths. With a forewing length of about 15mm it is one of the smaller macro moths and might be confused with the Uncertain, the Rustic and Vine's Rustic. It's distinguishing features are the dark ill-defined spots on the forewing which in the other species tend to be paler and more distinct and a silky sheen to freshly hatched wings.
The single generation flies from June to August and is commonly found throughout lowland England, Wales and Ireland and in isolated communities on the east and west coasts of Scotland.
The larvae feed nocturnally on various common plants such as nettles, docks and bedstraws and overwinter in an underground cocoon before pupating in the spring.
| Date | Sighting |
| 05.07.2003 | Attracted to light. |
| 04.07.2009 | Attracted to lighted window. |
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Silver Y
Autographa gamma
Trying to get a good image of the Silver Y in it's natural surroundings I find to be a frustrating business. When it lands on a flowerhead to sup nectar it never appears to 'settle'. Its wing tips are forever quivering as though nervously ready to make a quick departure. So it is a blessing when one is attracted to light and calmly settles down for the night.
The distinctive 'Y' mark is easy to identify - but it is not unique to the Silver Y. Several other species carry similar marks and some care is needed to eliminate them.
It comes in various shade of brown, from cool grey-brown, through warm mid-brown tones to the dark chestnut seen here, which was so crisply marked that I suspect it was recently emerged from pupation.
Wing position also varies from widespread, slightly elevated and quivering when feeding, to the 'arrowhead' and tightly folded 'tent' shapes shown here. The lower image showing the hair tufts that protrude from the thorax and abdomen.
It is a multi-generation species, having been recorded in every month of the year. And many individuals may well be migrants from Europe.
The larvae are to be found on many common plants from bedstraws, nettles and clovers to garden peas, beans and cabbage.
| Date | Sighting |
| 20.06.2006 | Flew indoors attracted to the kitchen lights. |
| 24.07.2007 | Attracted to light. |
| 29.05.2008 | Day flying in Hay Meadow. |
| 16.09.2008 | Attracted to a lighted window. |
Mother Shipton
Callistege mi
The Mother Shipton is named after an old Yorkshire witch because of the caricature of an old hag's hooked nose, piercing eye and pointed chin that can be seen (if you use your imagination) on the moth's forewing. With a forewing length of about 15mm it is not a large moth but, whether you can see the likeness or not, it is unmistakeable because of its unique markings.
It is a day-flying moth, on the wing from May to July in the UK but with two generations in continental Europe. Curiously, it is not common in the Channel Islands.
The larvae feed from July to September on a wide range of clovers and trefoils and also Cock's-foot grass.
| Date | Sighting |
| 15.05.2003 | Found mid-afternoon in bright sunshine on Protected Roadside Verge. |
| 10.06.2007 | Found in bright evening sunshine in hay meadow. |
The Snout
Hypena proboscidalis
The Snout really lives up to its common name. It has two long mouth parts (palps - sensory organs used for 'tasting' nectar sources) which stick out like an upturned nose. Many moths have palps but none so exaggerated as in the Snout. This feature, a forewing length of up to 19mm and a broad triangular wingspan of about 33mm at rest (the second generation tends to be smaller) and its gently hooked wingtips make it one of the easier moths to identify.
South of Midland England it produces two generations a year flying June to mid August and late August to October giving it a relatively long flight 'window'. In the rest of the UK, only one generation is produced, flying June to August.
Although it generally flies at dusk, it is easily disturbed from vegetation during the day and so is not an uncommon sight.
The larvae feed nocturnally on the common Stinging nettle, hiding during the day between folded leaves. Second generation larvae will overwinter and pupation takes place in a cocoon spun between the nettle leaves.
| Date | Sighting |
| 21.06.2003 | Daylight sighting in Hawthorn hedge containing nettles. |
| 22.06.2003 | Daylight sighting, 25m from previous sighting. |
| 09.09.2003 | Attracted to light. |
| 27.07.2006 | Attracted to light. |
| 06.07.2007 | Disturbed from stinging nettles. |