Old Lady Mormo maura

August 27, 2017September 17, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ 2 Comments

Old Lady Mormo maura (Linnaeus, 1758) 73.107 BF2300

You know when this one pays a visit because it is fairly large. It has a wingspan of 55 to 65mm. Not one of the brightest of moths, but it has an interesting pattern.

The adult flies July to September, and will come to light in small numbers. It can be seen in various habitats including woodland, hedgerows and gardens. The larva feeds on herbaceous plants in the autumn, and in spring it usually feeds on woody plants. A resident species which is local and widespread.

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe

August 18, 2017September 28, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ Leave a comment

Noctuidae » Noctuinae

73.348 BF2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe (Borkhausen, 1792)

Wingspan 30-40mm. Forewing length 16-20mm. Quite an unmistakable yellow underwing.

The adult flies July to September and is often attracted to light. Seen in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Common and widespread. the larva feeds on various herbaceous plants.

Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis

August 18, 2017September 17, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ 4 Comments

Noctuidae » Amphipyrinae

Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis (Clerck, 1759) 73.064 BF2299

Quite a drab, brownish moth with three dark spots on the forewing. Wingspan 33 to 38mm. When disturbed it will scamper off like a mouse rather than fly.

The adult flies July to September, and can be seen in a variety of habitats including gardens. Common and widespread throughout. The larva feed on a range of herbaceous plants.

Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa

August 18, 2017September 28, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ 2 Comments

Noctuidae » Noctuinae

73.357 BF2134 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Wingspan 32-35mm. Forewing length 14-17mm. Quite a variable moth in ground colour but with distinctive markings.

The adult flies August and September, and is a sign autumn is approaching. Seen in various habitats including woodland margins and gardens. Common and widespread The larva feeds on grasses and low growing plants.

Elbow-striped Grass-veneer Agriphila geniculea

August 18, 2017September 13, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ Leave a comment

Crambidae » Crambinae

The distinctive dark elbow-shaped cross-lines help to distinguish this species. Forewing length 10 to 13mm.

The adult flies July to October, and can be seen in dry grassy places. The larva feeds on various grasses.

September Thorn Ennomos erosaria

August 18, 2017September 16, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ 6 Comments

Geometridae » Ennominae

Quite similar to other ‘Thorns’ but plainer and with less speckling. Wingspan 30 to 35mm.

The adult flies July to October, and can be seen in woodland, parks and gardens, and is often attracted to light. The larva very much resembles a small twig and feed on oaks, limes, beech and birches.

House Groundling Bryotropha domestica

August 18, 2017September 30, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ 2 Comments

Gelechiidae » Anomologinae

35.038 BF789 House Groundling Bryotropha domestica (Haworth, 1828)

Wingspan 12-13 mm. Forewing length 5 to 6.5mm. A finely speckled micro moth with several distinct black spots.

The adult flies May to September, and it can be seen in garden and parkland. Common in urban environments in England and Wales. The larva feeds on mosses growing on walls like Tortula muralis.

Common Grass-veneer Agriphila tristella

August 18, 2017September 13, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ 3 Comments

Crambidae » Crambinae

A sandy coloured grass-veneer with a pale longitudinal stripe which branches into ‘fingers’ towards the wing tip. Forewing length 12 to 14mm.

The adult flies June to September, and is found in grassland habitats. Common and widespread. The larva feeds on various grasses.

Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon

August 18, 2017September 24, 2017 ~ Peter Hillman ~ Leave a comment

Noctuidae » Noctuinae

73.327 BF2091 Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel, 1766)

Wingspan 35-50mm. Forewing length 15-25mm. This is one of our regular migrants, and numbers can vary year to year. Its markings very much resemble knotted wood, which makes for good camouflage.