شناسایی Moths

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Semioscopis steinkellneriana

Semioscopis steinkellneriana

Semioscopis steinkellneriana

Family: Depressariidae

Semioscopis steinkellneriana is less colourful, and does look like a lot of other micros actually. The wingspan may vary from 19 to 26 mm. It is on the wing in April and apparently flies in the early morning hours mainly. Semioscopis steinkellneriana is a common species all over Britain. The larvae feed on Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

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Diurnea fagella

Diurnea fagella

Diurnea fagella

Family: Chimabachidae

Diurnea fagella is an early spring species. It flies about from March to May. That is he does. She has stunted wings and can't fly at all. She reaches a wingspan of some 20 mm. He's much more variable reaching a wingspan of 25 to 32 mm. Also highly variable in colouring. Usually light with some black, fine lines, but sometimes very dark indeed, as can be seen in the bottom picture. Some Diurnea fagella have about the same amount of black and white colours, are hardly marked and quite difficult to identify. The caterpillars live on various decidous trees, especially oak and birch. Diurnea fagella is common over much of the British Isles. Usually considered to be a member of the Chimabachinae, a subfamily of the Oecophoridae. This subfamily is however considered by some to be a family of its own, called the Chimabachidae.

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Whiteshouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella

Whiteshouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella

Whiteshouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella

Family: Concealer Moths, aka House Moths (Oecophoridae)


Many of the worms of the Codling Moths, Concealer Moths or House Moths (Oecophoridae) are notorious creatures that can destruct clothes, blankets and other stuff made of natural fibers in a short time. Luckily only a very few are really destructive indoors. In spite of its name the Whiteshouldered House Moth is more likely to be found in a stable or a silo than in the house. In nature some of the clothes moths' caterpillars also feed on dead material such as hairs and feathers. They can be found in old birds nests, holes and dens or pellets. So, it is not hard to understand they think of human clothes as a treat. The caterpillars of the Whiteshouldered House Moth prefer flour over clothes though.

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Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella

Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella

Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella

Family: Concealer Moths, aka House Moths (Oecophoridae)

The Brown House Moth is a very destructive house moth, often found indoors. Its caterpillar eats a lot of dead materials, including clothes, leather, carpets etc. The species originates from India, but nowadays it is found all over the world. Indoors Hofmannophila pseudospretella may be on the wing all year round.

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Carcina quercana

Carcina quercana

Carcina quercana

Family: Concealer Moths, aka House Moths (Oecophoridae)

Carcina quercana is an attractive Concealer Moth. It is harmless, for its caterpillars can be found in trees only, mainly oaks and beeches. The animal is wide spread throughout Europe and Northern America. The adults can be found from June onwards untill November. Carcina quercana is variable and may show more markings and colours than the ones in the pictures, or less. It is however easy to identify: small yellow line at wing tip, larger yellow spot at the edge of the wing and very long antennae (usually as long as the animal is itself, sometimes even longer).

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Bisigna procerella

Bisigna procerella

Bisigna procerella

Family: Concealer Moths, aka House Moths (Oecophoridae)

Bisigna procerella is an extremely beautiful moth from the House Moth family. It never bothers us though, for its caterpillars live on lichens only.

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Harpella forficella

Harpella forficella

Harpella forficella

Family: Concealer Moths, aka House Moths (Oecophoridae)

Harpella forficella is quite an attractive species, actually. On the continent this moth can be seen in many gardens, for it is a very common species indeed. We do think however that this is not a British species at all. Should you have more information regarding the presence of Harpella forficella in Britain, please let us know.

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Coleophora species, imago

Coleophora species, imago

Coleophora species, imago

Family: Casebearers (Coleophoridae)

There are probably well over 200 species of Coleophora moths in Britain. All are small to very small moths, reaching a wingspan of 9 tot 20 mm only. Many species are extremely similar and can be told apart only after microscopic examination. The caterpillars of most small species live inside the leaf of a plant or tree. In such a case we say they are mining the leaf. The way the larvae mine a leaf is usually typical of the species. Thus it is often more easy to name a species by looking at the pattern of the mines than by actually looking at the caterpillar or the adult. The larvae of many bigger species of Coleophora spin a cocoon to live in. In the top pictures a Coleophora adult. In the bottom pictures an exemple of such a cocoon. Again we haven't been able to identify the species. It is very unlikely the adult and the larva in the pictures are of the same species!

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Coleophora species, larva

Coleophora species, larva

Coleophora species, larva

Family: Casebearers (Coleophoridae)

There are probably well over 200 species of Coleophora moths in Britain. All are small to very small moths, reaching a wingspan of 9 tot 20 mm only. Many species are extremely similar and can be told apart only after microscopic examination. The caterpillars of most small species live inside the leaf of a plant or tree. In such a case we say they are mining the leaf. The way the larvae mine a leaf is usually typical of the species. Thus it is often more easy to name a species by looking at the pattern of the mines than by actually looking at the caterpillar or the adult. The larvae of many bigger species of Coleophora spin a cocoon to live in. In the top pictures a Coleophora adult. In the bottom pictures an exemple of such a cocoon. Again we haven't been able to identify the species. It is very unlikely the adult and the larva in the pictures are of the same species!

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Anacampsis blattariella

Anacampsis blattariella

Anacampsis blattariella

Family: Twirler Moths (Gelechiidae)


Anacampsis blattariella is another small, greyish moth. It is hard to identify it, for the nondescript animal even gives you a hard time deciding in which family to look first, for it has many characteristics of a Pyralid moth indeed. The adult moth flies about in summer. The caterpillar can be found on birches only. Not a very common species.

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Bryotropha pseudospretella

Bryotropha pseudospretella

Bryotropha pseudospretella

Family: Twirler Moths (Gelechiidae)

Bryotropha is a genus within the family of Twirler Moths. It consists of 6 or possibly 7 extremely similar species. Bryotropha species can usually be identified only by studying the genitals under a microscope. So for this site we'll not bother with that. It turns out however that identification is possible and this one must be Bryotropha pseudospretella.

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Brachmia inornatella

Brachmia inornatella

Brachmia inornatella

Family: Twirler Moths (Gelechiidae)

Brachmia inornatella is a rather dull, greyish brown moth with three black dots on each front wing. When resting two black dots on each wing are quite conspicuous. Together with the same spots on the other wing they make out a kind of square. The third dot isn't visible in this position. There are also some very tiny black dots along the edge of the front wing. The wingspan is 11 to 15mm.

Little is known about the caterpillar of Brachmia inornatella, except for the fact it is monophagous and lives inside the stem of reet (Phragmites). Apparently it overwinters inside the stem as well.

Brachmia inornatella is a species considered to be rare in most parts of Europe. It is however not well known. It comes to light sometimes, but nobody knows whether the species is really attracted to light, or only some individuals are. The species appears over much of Europe, but always seems to be very local. It is on the wing in June and July. In Britain only known from the fens and marshes of East Anglia and south-eastern England. A scarce and local species in Holland and a rare and local species in Belgium.

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Oegoconia spec.

Oegoconia spec.

Oegoconia spec.

Family: Autostichidae

Oegoconia species are small moths which are always causing a lot of confusion. For a very long time it was believed to be just one species, but later there turned out to be more, all extremely similar. In Holland there are two species, we do not know the current situation in Britain. Oegoconia species can be told apart only after genital examination. As we didn't do that on this one, we can't tell you which species it is. Even the name of the family Oegoconia species belong to is complicated. Some say it is a member of the family Autostichidae, others claim it belongs to the Blastobasidae.

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Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana

Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana

Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana

Family: Sedge Moths (Glyphipterigidae)

The Nettle-tap is a very small moth indeed. Its larvae live on nettles mainly. It is a very common moth, very similar to the Moth Flies. Or should that be the other way around? By the way some claim that the Nettle-tap belongs to a small family of moths, the Sedge Moths. In Latin they are called Glyphipterigidae (just try to pronounce that!). Others believe it belongs to to a family called Choreutidae.

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Snout Moths (Pyralidae)

Snout Moths (Pyralidae)

Snout Moths (Pyralidae)

The family of Snout Moths, also referred to as Pyralid Moths, consists of over 200 British species. In rest they immediately stand out among all other micro moths, for they keep their antennae over their wings. So any moth in rest having their antennae fully exposed belong to this group. The English common name of Snout Moths is less accurate. Many members of this family have big snouts indeed, especially the Grass Moths, but others have unobtrusive snouts. Thus it is better to judge this family by the visible antennae. Nowadays some of the subfamilies have been put in families of their own, but still most moth experts treat the Pyralids as one group. Some are very beautiful animals indeed, such as the China Marks. Others are very small, but attractively coloured and well known by many, such as the Mint Moth. The family is divided various subfamilies.


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Rose-flounced Tabby Endotricha flammealis

Rose-flounced Tabby Endotricha flammealis

Rose-flounced Tabby Endotricha flammealis

Subfamily: Tabbies (Pyralinae)

Many of the Snout Moths (also called Pyralids) do have a striking snout, but not all of them. Thus the common name for this family is not very reliable. Some of the Snout moths with a small snout only, or even no snout at all, behave like real butterflies. The worms live on plants and not on dead materials and they fly by day just like butterflies, eating nectar . The Rose-flounced Tabby is one of them and it is quite common in our garden. Reaching a wingspan of some 22 mm, it is a tiny moth. The wings are quite beautiful when you examine them closely. The species is extremely variable though. Light coloured animals with almost no markings are seen, but also richly marked specimens and dark, intensly marked animals appear as well. Just take a look at the pictures. Even though our books tell us that this species is not active during daylight, in our garden it is a frequent visitor of flowers in broad daylight, as the pictures proof. Common species in the Benelux on sandy soils, but a local species in the southern half of England and Wales only.

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Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis

Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis

Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis

Subfamily: Tabbies (Pyralinae)

Most pyralids are quite unobtrusive. The species below to the left is a close relative of the quite beautiful Endotricha flammealis. Its scientific name is sounds funny. In common English it is referred to as the Large Tabby or the Stable Tabby. The wingspan it may reach, some 40 mm, explains the adjective in the name. This species is common throughout Europe, including all of the British Isles. The Large Tabby appears from the end of May and continues flying until the end of September. In Britain the main period it is on the wing is in June and July. The caterpillars do not live on plants, but eat grain in storage houses, dung of both chicken and sheep, old hay and prepared insects in collections!

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Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis

Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis

Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis

Subfamily: Tabbies (Pyralinae)

The Gold Triangle is a beautiful purple and yellow moth. When resting it is in one of two characteristic positions. When just resting and after being disturbed it rests in the arrow head position. When deep in rest the wings are completely spread out in a pose rather like a Geometer's. It is similar in colouring to the Mint Moth, but the main difference is the broad yellow fringe of the Gold Triangle. And this also makes it an unmistakable species. Reaching a wingspan of 18 to 22mm it is bigger than the Mint Moth is.

The eggs hatch in September. The larvae eat until half grown, then hibernate. In spring they awake and complete their development. Pupation usually takes place in May or June in a firm oval cocoon. The caterpillars feed on dried vegetable materials and may be found in old mamal's nests (like a rabbit's or a fox's), old bird's nests, hay stacks, hen houses and thatch.

The Gold Triangle is on the wing in July and August. Contrary to the similar Mint Moth it flies by night only. Is attracted to both light and sugar. Found at rest during the day in thickets and bushes, but in and on buildings as well, especially sheds, stables and hen houses. In Britain this is a locally common species in Southern England only. In continental Europe south of Britain on the wing from May to October. Als common in Northern America and often even abundant.

In Northern America this moth is better known as the Clover Hayworm Moth.

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Mintmoth Pyrausta aurata

Mintmoth Pyrausta aurata

Mintmoth Pyrausta aurata

Subfamily: Pyraustinae

This is another beautiful pyralid. Just like Endotricha flammealis it flies by day. As the larvae live on mint mainly it is called the Mintmoth. There are two more purple species looking quite like this one, so be careful when labelling them! The Mint Moth is small, even for Pyralids, reaching a wingspan of no more than 16 to 18 mm. Appears in broad daylight mainly, but often flies about unnoticed due to its small size. This was a rarity up to about a hundred years ago. Nowadays becoming quite common, at least locally, because of mint, its larvae's food source, being planted in gardens. Is also said to like Marjoram and Clary. Can be found locally all over England, Wales and Southern Scotland.

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Small Magpie Moth Eurrhypara hortulata

Small Magpie Moth Eurrhypara hortulata

Small Magpie Moth Eurrhypara hortulata

Subfamily: Pyraustinae

Reaching a wingspan of 35 mm the Small Magpie Moth is much larger than the previous moths. The animal is extremely hard to photograph, as it is very easily disturbed and immediately flies far from its original 'bedroom' at day. Flies in June and July mainly. The caterpillars can be found on nettle and occassionally at other plants. This is a very common species in the Southern parts of England and in Ireland. It is less common in Northern England. In Scotland it is a local species only.

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Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis

Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis

Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis

Subfamily: Pyraustinae

One of the biggest Pyralids about is the Mother of Pearl below. It may reach a wingspan of almost 40 mm! A dreadful species to beginners to identify, for it really does look like a Geometer at first. It is a micro moth, but considering the size, most people will search among the macro moths in their books or on the web. A very common species in the south of Britain, where it often flies about in very great numbers. Widespread but more local and flying in smaller numbers going northwards. More about the Mother of Pearl in the near future.

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Perinephela lancealis

Perinephela lancealis

Perinephela lancealis

Subfamily: Pyraustinae


The very long and pointed wings and the clear markings on the front wing make it hard to believe this is a Pyralid at all. Given the size (it has a wingspan of 30 to 35 mm) it is no wonder Perinephela lancealis baffles everyone who sees it for the first time. Once you have realized it is 'just' a Pyralid, things get easier, for this is an unmistakable species. During the day it hides in dense vegetation and is hard to find. Photographing it is even more difficult, for it is easily disturbed. The larvae feed on hemp agrimony mainly. Perinephela lancealis is a local species in England and Wales, rare in Ireland.

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Udea prunalis

Udea prunalis

Udea prunalis

Subfamily: Pyraustinae

Udea prunalis does not have a vernacular name. Probably because it is not a very striking species. Still it is not very difficult to identify. Not too far from the lowest edge of the wing is a jagged line. Above this line a big dark dot and above this dot another dark dot, but much smaller. These markings are in a kind of blackish or brownish grey. The wing itself is always a kind of grey. The body and legs are strikingly white. Like most species from this genus the wingspan is around 2.5cm.

The eggs are being laid in summer, but hatch in autumn. The larvae do feed, but don't grow very fast. By the end of autumn the small caterpillars spin a cocoon. It is attached to the edge of a leaf. In it, the larva overwinters. Such a cocoon made for overwintering is called a hibernaculum. In spring the larva reemerges and starts feeding again. This time is lives on the lower side of a leaf which is spun together for protection. By the end of spring a silken cocoon is made, attached between leaves of the food plant and in it pupation takes place. The larvae are found on a great number of plants, including deadnettle, woundwort, dog's mercury, nettles, honeysuckle and many others.

Udea prunalis is a typical summer species, on the wing from June to mid August. It flies about actively by night only, but is easily disturbed during the day. The species depends on thickets and hedges. Comes to light quite freely. Found all over the British Isles where hedges grow, often in very great numbers. The same applies to other parts of Europe.

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Agriphila straminella

Agriphila straminella

Agriphila straminella

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

When you meet one of the Grass Moths in Britain, chances are it is the Common Grass Moth. This species is abundant all over the British Isles. It is on the wing from early June to late September. The larvae feed on Sheep's Fescue and other grasses and is sometimes found in wheat. The close up reveals Agriphila straminella to be quite an attractive animal, for it has beautiful blue eyes! The Common Grass Moth is one of the smaller Grass Moths reaching a wingspan of 16 to 20 mm only.

Scientifically this species is also known as Agriphila culmella.

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Agriphila tristella

Agriphila tristella

Agriphila tristella

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

There are many moths in this group, all rather similar and very hard to tell apart. To be sure about any identification you would have to catch one and spread its wings forcefully. And that is something we don't like to do. However due to the fact it was photographed in late spring (early june) and judging from the white line, the species below to the left is Agriphila tristella. The adults can be seen from June untill the beginning of October. Their wingspan is some 30 mm. An abundant species all over the British Isles in places covered with tall grasses, where the larvae live in. Agriphila tristella is a migrating species.

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Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella

Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella

Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

Chrysoteuchia culmella not only looks like many of the other Grass Moths, it behaves like many of the others too. Reaching a wingspan of up to 24 mm this is your typical Grass Moth. Is easily disturbed from grasses during the day, but is not active during daylight in any other way. It is believed this is a migrating species. Often appears in great numbers. Common to abundant all over Britain.

The Garden Grass-veneer is also known by its former scientific name: Chrysoteuchia hortuella.

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Crambus lathoniellus

Crambus lathoniellus

Crambus lathoniellus

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

Crambus lathoniellus is a very common species too. It is very variable and may be almost unmarked like the one in the top picture, or very well marked like the one in the bottom picture. The caterpillars live on or in various grasses, including breeded species. It is quite small, reaching a wingspan of no more than 22 mm. The adults are on the wing from May untill August. This species is abundant all over the British Isles, except for Orkney and Shetland where this is an uncommon species.

Even among scientists this was an awkward grassmoth to name, for in the past it was also known as Crambus pratorum, Crambus pratellus en Crambus nemorella.

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Catoptria permutatella

Catoptria permutatella

Catoptria permutatella

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

Catoptria permutatella might give you the impression of being quite easy to identify. But alas, it has a few very similar brothers. By day you'll not find it in the grass, for it doesn't rest there at all. Rather you should be looking at tree trunks, fences or even walls. In nature it rests on trees, especially isolated birches and pines. Even though it may look like other Grass Moths, it's caterpillar feeds on mosses by exception. Rare in Britain, where it is only found in a few glens in Perthshire and Aberdeenshire (Barry Goater, 1986). More common on the continent, but still usually a rather local species.

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False Veneer Catoptria falsella

False Veneer Catoptria falsella

False Veneer Catoptria falsella

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

Because of the clear and intriguing markings, the False Veneer is an unmistakable species among the Grass Moths. The wingspan is 18 to 22mm. The larvae do not live in grasses, but eat mosses growing on walls. There is one brood a year only, on the wing in July and August. In Britain this is a very local species, widespread in the south, getting scarcer going Northwards

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Pearl-band Grass Veneer Catoptria margaritella

Pearl-band Grass Veneer Catoptria margaritella

Pearl-band Grass Veneer Catoptria margaritella

Subfamily: Grass Moths (Crambinae)

The Pearl-band Grass Veneer is similar to a number of Grass Moths. Yet identification is not very complicated. In the front wing it has a broad, whitish stretched triangle. This triangle does not reach the fringe and is uninterrupted. The fringe itself is whitish grey and in contrast to the remainder of the wing. The ground colour is really brown and not the yellowish or even whitish brown found in many others, especially the Chrysoteuchia and Agriphila species. The hind wing is greyish and has a white fringe. The wingspan is some 20 to 25mm in southern areas such as Holland and England. Species from northern regions of Europe, such as Scandinavia and Scotland are smaller: 17 to 22mm.

The life cycle of the Pearl-band Grass Veneer is virtually unknown. In books and on the internet there is no information available on eggs or younger larvae. Kuchlein, a Dutch researcher, has reported full grown larvae from mosses.

Even though the Pearl-band Grass Veneer flies by night only, it is easily disturbed during the day, especially in grasses. It is on the wing from mid-June to mid-August. The species is attracted to light, but usually in small numbers only. It prefers boggy areas, but is also seen in drier heaths. The Pearl-band Grass Veneer is a species of Northern Europe. You won't find it in the Alps or the Mediterranean. It is wide-spread and not uncommon in Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia. Going south from these regions it becomes scarcer and more of a local species, such as in England, Wales, Holland and Germany. But even in it's favourite areas this species rarely ever is very numerous.

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