شناسایی Moths

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Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma

Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma

Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma

Family: Prominents (Notodontidae)

This very beautiful moth is called the Lesser Swallow Prominent. Like its name suggests a second Swallow Prominent exists, which is slightly bigger. Still this 'lesser' one is quite impressive too: the wings can span almost 6 cm! On the wing from May to September it can be encountered throughout the British Isles, as long as birches grow, for that's the species only host. The Lesser Swallow Prominent is quite a common species throughout Europe and Asia.

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Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina

Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina

Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina

Family: Prominents (Notodontidae)

The Coxcomb Prominent belongs to a family called the Prominents. This is a family of very hairy moths. All do look like Noctuids very much, but the vains in the wings run differently and that's the way the expert tells them apart. If you are no expert, it is a tricky thing to separate your Noctuids from the Prominents, but Prominents often have more hairs and when resting they keep their wings almost straight up, sometimes making the moth look like a dead leaf. The caterpillars of Prominents are often quite bizar. They are rather hairless, but grow bumps on the back and often also on the chest. Of all European species we have only seen a few species in our garden, including the Coxcomb Prominent below to the left. This is a brownish species, even though the brown may vary from yellowish to blackish. The animals have a striking hood on top. It is a medium sized moth having a widthspan of some 50 mm. The animal is on the wing from May to September, but because it is double-brooded, the numbers fall sharply in July. The caterpillars live on many species of deciduous trees. It is a common species all over Europe, including most of the British Isles.

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December Moth Poecilocampa populi

December Moth Poecilocampa populi

December Moth Poecilocampa populi

Family: Eggars (Lasiocampidae)

The Eggars are a family of extremely hairy moths. They are also known as Lappet Moths and, especially in the USA, as Tent Caterpillars. All are medium sized or large animals (a few species almost reach a wingspan of 100 mm) and most are brownish. Many have a tuft of hair added to the tail and often visible even in rest. So far only one species was spotted in our garden: the December Moth. Reaching a wingspan of some 44 mm it is one of the smaller species. It shows colours varying from blackish to dark brown and the tuft of hairs is clearly visible. The December Moth is on the wing from mid October to December in southern parts of Britain, but may appear a month earlier up north. Moderately common all over Britain. It overwinters as an egg, hatching in april. The caterpillars feed on various trees, including oak, birch and poplar.

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Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli

Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli

Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli

Family: Pantheids (Pantheidae)

The Nut-tree Tussock belongs to a family called the Pantheids. This is a very recent and small moths family. The members (there are only two in Western Europe) were considered to be part of the Owlets for a long time. The adults do really look like Owlets a lot and by looking at them you really wonder why a separate family was considered at all. The larvae however differ very much from the usual Owlet caterpillar. They are extremely hairy and are similar to Tussocks, even showing brushes of hairs at places. The scientists are still debating the exact place of these species, so be prepared for further changes in future. And to complicate matters even more it is called the Nut-tree Tussock, even though it has been regarded being a Noctuid and not a Tussock species for a long time. The adult is quite variable and the ones you see might be (a lot) darker than this one. Even melanic formes are in existance. Reaching a wingspan of some 38 mm it is not a very big moths. It is double-brooded and so it can be seen flying around for a long time: from late April to September. The larvae of the Nut-tree Tussock feed among other trees on birch and beech. They too are extremely variable. The hairs may be white, brown or even black and so may be the tufts! Fairly common in the south of England and most of Wales, but a local species in Scotland and Ireland.

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Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli

Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli

Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli

Family: Pantheids (Pantheidae)

The Nut-tree Tussock belongs to a family called the Pantheids. This is a very recent and small moths family. The members (there are only two in Western Europe) were considered to be part of the Owlets for a long time. The adults do really look like Owlets a lot and by looking at them you really wonder why a separate family was considered at all. The larvae however differ very much from the usual Owlet caterpillar. They are extremely hairy and are similar to Tussocks, even showing brushes of hairs at places. The scientists are still debating the exact place of these species, so be prepared for further changes in future. And to complicate matters even more it is called the Nut-tree Tussock, even though it has been regarded being a Noctuid and not a Tussock species for a long time. The adult is quite variable and the ones you see might be (a lot) darker than this one. Even melanic formes are in existance. Reaching a wingspan of some 38 mm it is not a very big moths. It is double-brooded and so it can be seen flying around for a long time: from late April to September. The larvae of the Nut-tree Tussock feed among other trees on birch and beech. They too are extremely variable. The hairs may be white, brown or even black and so may be the tufts! Fairly common in the south of England and most of Wales, but a local species in Scotland and Ireland.

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Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)

The Pale Tussock Moths belongs to its own family of Tussock Moths. The caterpillars of this family are largely breathtakingly beautiful and almost all carry some four tussocks on their back. Often a smaller, colourful tussock of longer hairs is found on the tail. The adults do look like Owlet Moths a lot, but have larger wings (rather looking like those of the Geometers). Some species though do look like Woolly Bears. Adults of the Pale Tussock Moth are very variable and are on the wing in May and June mainly. The caterpillars feed on lots of trees and shrubs, including hop, being locally known as Hop-dog. The caterpillar may be an exotic beauty, the adult moth certainly is not. They are very variable, but in my part of Holland the darker variation is predominant. In other parts of Europe though the lighter variation may be more common. It is a little bit more interesting, but not much. The adults fly about in May and June mainly. Adult Pale Tussock Moths do not feed anymore. Common moth in England, Wales and Southern Ireland. Reaching a wingspan of up to 70 mm. this sometimes is a big species. However many specimens never get bigger than some 50 to 55 mm.

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Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)

The Pale Tussock Moths belongs to its own family of Tussock Moths. The caterpillars of this family are largely breathtakingly beautiful and almost all carry some four tussocks on their back. Often a smaller, colourful tussock of longer hairs is found on the tail. The adults do look like Owlet Moths a lot, but have larger wings (rather looking like those of the Geometers). Some species though do look like Woolly Bears. Adults of the Pale Tussock Moth are very variable and are on the wing in May and June mainly. The caterpillars feed on lots of trees and shrubs, including hop, being locally known as Hop-dog. The caterpillar may be an exotic beauty, the adult moth certainly is not. They are very variable, but in my part of Holland the darker variation is predominant. In other parts of Europe though the lighter variation may be more common. It is a little bit more interesting, but not much. The adults fly about in May and June mainly. Adult Pale Tussock Moths do not feed anymore. Common moth in England, Wales and Southern Ireland. Reaching a wingspan of up to 70 mm. this sometimes is a big species. However many specimens never get bigger than some 50 to 55 mm.

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Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Pale Tussock Moth Calliteara pudibunda

Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)

The Pale Tussock Moths belongs to its own family of Tussock Moths. The caterpillars of this family are largely breathtakingly beautiful and almost all carry some four tussocks on their back. Often a smaller, colourful tussock of longer hairs is found on the tail. The adults do look like Owlet Moths a lot, but have larger wings (rather looking like those of the Geometers). Some species though do look like Woolly Bears. Adults of the Pale Tussock Moth are very variable and are on the wing in May and June mainly. The caterpillars feed on lots of trees and shrubs, including hop, being locally known as Hop-dog. The caterpillar may be an exotic beauty, the adult moth certainly is not. They are very variable, but in my part of Holland the darker variation is predominant. In other parts of Europe though the lighter variation may be more common. It is a little bit more interesting, but not much. The adults fly about in May and June mainly. Adult Pale Tussock Moths do not feed anymore. Common moth in England, Wales and Southern Ireland. Reaching a wingspan of up to 70 mm. this sometimes is a big species. However many specimens never get bigger than some 50 to 55 mm.

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Yellow-tail Euproctis similis

Yellow-tail Euproctis similis

Yellow-tail Euproctis similis

Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)
The Yellow-tail is another Tussock Moth seen in our garden regularly. The larvae has brushes of hairs, but they are extremely long indeed. It can be found during the major part of the year (from September to May), for the species overwinters as such. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of shrubs and trees, including oak, hawthorn and sallow. The adult moth is white and extremely hairy, rather looking like a Woolly Bear species. On the top two pictures you'll see males of the Yellow-tail. Males are all white, except for three brownish or black spots near the top of the wings. The second picture from the top tells you why the animal is called the Yellow-tail. In the middle pictures the snow white female. She lacks the black dot. The caterpillar is depicted in the bottom pictures. Rather common throughout Europe, but often a kind of local species, rare in Scotland and scarce in Ireland. Having a wingspan of no more than 45 mm, the Yellow-tail is not a very big species, flying from the end of June to August. This species is also known as Sphrageidus similis scientifically.

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Yellow-tail Euproctis similis

Yellow-tail Euproctis similis

Yellow-tail Euproctis similis

Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)

The Yellow-tail is another Tussock Moth seen in our garden regularly. The larvae has brushes of hairs, but they are extremely long indeed. It can be found during the major part of the year (from September to May), for the species overwinters as such. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of shrubs and trees, including oak, hawthorn and sallow. The adult moth is white and extremely hairy, rather looking like a Woolly Bear species. On the top two pictures you'll see males of the Yellow-tail. Males are all white, except for three brownish or black spots near the top of the wings. The second picture from the top tells you why the animal is called the Yellow-tail. In the middle pictures the snow white female. She lacks the black dot. The caterpillar is depicted in the bottom pictures. Rather common throughout Europe, but often a kind of local species, rare in Scotland and scarce in Ireland. Having a wingspan of no more than 45 mm, the Yellow-tail is not a very big species, flying from the end of June to August. This species is also known as Sphrageidus similis scientifically.

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Black Arches Lymantria monacha

Black Arches Lymantria monacha

Black Arches Lymantria monacha


Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)

Black Arches is another quite common species in the South of Britain. The species is highly variable and in books you might expect beautiful individuals. In our country though reality is different. Many individuals are plain black with a grey head and a small portion of grey in the upperwings. Reaching a widthspan of over 5 centimeters it is quite big and striking though. Black Arches is on the wing from the end of June to September and the males come to light readily.

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Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar

Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar

Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar

Family: Tussock Moths (Lymantriidae)

The males and females of the Gypsy Moth differ considerably. In the pictures on this page is a male. They are greyish brown, plain brown or warm light brown and have a dark fringe of the wing. Over the wing run several blackish zigzag lines. Especially the sharp, black heavily indented line running over two thirds of the wing is characteristic. Sometimes males are as dark as the lines are, making these practically invisible. The female is white. Most of the lines seen in the male are present in the female as well, especially near the edge of the wing. Often they do not rum to the other side of the wing though. Usually the sharply indented line mentioned before does. Reaching a wingspan of 48 to 65mm, the Gypsy Moth is rather big.

The eggs are being laid in summer. The female makes a kind of carpet using her own body hair. The carpet is glued on to a tree trunk. The eggs are laid on this carpet in one big group. From a distance the group of eggs is very similar to some kind of fungus. The eggs overwinter and hatch in May. The larvae do not start to eat, but rather wait for a strong wind. They then let go and are dispersed over many miles by the wind. After landing in a tree, shrub or plant the young will start feeding. By the end of June they'll spin a cocoon in which they pupate. Like with all species in this family the caterpillars are extremely hairy. And what's more they are very variable too. Usually best identified by the warts on the back. Those on segments 1 to 5 are blue and those on segments 9 and 10 are red. On top of all warts is a red dot from which brownish hairs grow. The Gypsy Moth has a very broad taste when it concerns the foodplants. Over 500 plant species have been found to serve as foodplants in the mean time. Very popular are oak and poplar, but even conifers are eaten. The caterpillars will reach a length of some 50mm.

The Gypsy Moth is on the wing in July and August mainly. Males love to fly and do so even in broad daylight. They are attracted to light as well. Females are capable of flying, but rarely do so. They usually stay near the cocoon they came from. Female nor male will feed while being adult. The Gypsy Moth may appear in huge numbers and can be extremely devastating in forests. After a year of abundancy, numbers usually decline in the years after, then start growing again in the next couple of years. Apparently this is a 5 year cycle. The Gypsy Moth is common in most of Europe, Northern Africa, temperate Asia and Japan. Also abundant at times in Northeastern America, where it was introduced accidentally in 1869 near Boston.

In Britain it used to be a resident in rapidly declining numbers up to 1907 when it got extinct. The caterpillar of the British subspecies probably only lived on creeping willow and bog myrtle in fens and died out because these dried out. Immigrants, all males, appear almost yearly in very small numbers.

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Pebble Hook-tip Moth Drepana falcataria

Pebble Hook-tip Moth Drepana falcataria

Pebble Hook-tip Moth Drepana falcataria

Family: Hook-tip Moths (Drepanidae)

The family of the Hook-tips is a rather small family of moths. Some species do look like Geometers with a hook, other do look like Noctuids. In Dutch they are called 'one-tails', for the caterpillars of this family have a body that ends in a point (just one tail). Looking at the pictures it is not difficult to tell how the English common name came about. Alas, not all family members show this little 'hook'. The caterpillar of the species below to the left can be found on Pebbles and Birches alike. The Pebble Hook-tip is a common species all over the British Isles, except for the most northern parts. On the wing in two generations from May to September. In Scotland however it is single-brooded, flying in May and June. It is not a very big species, reaching a maximum wingspan of some 40 mm.

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Oak Hook-tip Watsonella binaria

Oak Hook-tip Watsonella binaria

Oak Hook-tip Watsonella binaria

Family: Hook-tip Moths (Drepanidae)

The Oak Hook-tip obviously is a Hook-tip as well. Reaching a maximum wingspan of 35 mm it is just a little smaller than the Pebble Hook-tip. It is less common as well and you won't find them in your garden very often. The larvae live on oak exclusively. Flying in two generations The Oak Hook-tip is seen from May to August, with less specimens in the first three weeks of July. In most literature it is still called Drepana binaria, but the correct scientific name is Watsonella binaria. The Oak Hook-tip is fairly common in most of England and Wales, very rare or not present elsewhere in the British Isles.

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Peach Blossom Thyatira batis

Peach Blossom Thyatira batis

Peach Blossom Thyatira batis

Family: Hook-tip Moths (Drepanidae)


Another fairly common woodland species belonging to this subfamily is the Peach Blossom. It is a very pretty moth with various shades of violet, especially in fresh specimens. Showing a wingspan of up to 44 mm it is a typical representative of its family. The larvae of the Peach Blossom can be found on bramble and raspberry. On the wing from May to late July all over the British Isles. Occasionally a second generation is produced in the south, flying in August and the beginning of September.

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Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis

Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis

Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis

Family: Hook-tip Moths (Drepanidae)

The Yellow Horned doesn't look much like the hook-tips, but rather like an owlet. It belongs to the same family though, which is only obvious looking at the caterpillars. The adult Yellow Horned keeps its wings the way owlets do and it is a very hairy species indeed. Appearing in early spring it usually is on the wing in March and April. The specimen in the top picture has been photographed on March 16th, 2004. Even though the species is not colourful at all, the markings are quite beautiful. The larvae live on birches only. The yellow Horned therefore is common in woodlands and heathland. The eggs are deposited near buds of leaves, one by one. The larvae actually are quite beautiful, live in leaves woven together and pupate in June or July. The pupa overwinter, occasionally twice. A common species in England and Wales, reaching a wingspan of 39 to 44 mm. In Scotland, including Orkney and the Inner Hebrides, a local race exists. These are bigger than the southern ones (wingspan ordinarily ranging from 43 to almost 50 mm) and have more pronounced markings on the forewing. It is a local species in Ireland.

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Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa

Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa

Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa

Family: Hook-tip Moths (Drepanidae)

The Satin Lutestring is a very dull, greyish moth. On the middle of the wings we see a very broad, darker band, often bordered by both a blackish and a whitish indented or wavy line. Above and below these lines the wings are lighter. In the dark band, just near the edge the Satin Lutestring has a dark smear or small blackish, often moon shaped marking. In the very similar Common Lutestring this marking consists of two dark and clearly separated dots. The Satin Lutestring is however extremely variable. The markings may be invisible in melanistic forms or very bright specimens. Usually the lines and other markings are rather vague, sometimes animals appear with very detailed and distinct markings. The wingspan doesn't vary very much, for it is usually between 35 and 39mm.

The eggs are being laid in summer. After hatching, the small caterpillars spin two leaves together and hide in this house during the day. At night they leave their shelter to feed on the leaves around them. In October they'll make a cocoon attached to a few leaves in which pupation takes place. And it is the pupa overwintering. In late autumn the pupa in the cocoon falls to the ground with the leaves. The caterpillars of the Satin Lutestring are dark green with light dots. A whitish mottled line runs over the side of the body, just below the spiracula. The head is yellowish brown with small black markings. The foodplant is birch. Every now and then a caterpillar is found on Alder. They'll reach a length of some 30mm.

In Britain the Satin Lutestring is single-brooded and on the wing from June to early August. On the wing at night only, but comes to light freely. It is a very local species, but maybe numerous where it occurs. Found in Southeast England, Northern and Western Wales and the Lake District. Rare in Scotland, very scarce in Ireland and on the Channel Islands. Widespread, but very local in other parts of Europe too.

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Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor

Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor

Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor

Family: Hawk-moths (Sphingidae)


Hawk-moths are also known as Sphinx-moths and are among the biggest moths in Europe. In the Benelux alone there are four species of Hawk-moths reaching a span of well over 10 centimeters. The Elephant Hawk-moth is about half that size, but that means that it is just as big as the Peacock is! The colouring of the Elephant Hawk-moth is remarkable. The picture has been made before we bought our digital camera. It is therefor not of the best quality and can be enlarged only slightly.

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Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri

Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri

Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri

Family: Hawk-moths (Sphingidae)

Not all hawk-moths are strikingly beautiful. The Pine Hawk-moth for instance is dull and plain. When it is resting during day time on pine trees it is very difficult to spot though. So it is very well camouflaged. The specimen in the picture is wuite dull. Other animals may be marked more intensely. The wingspan can be some 8 centimeters making this a medium sized Hawk-moth, but a very large moth. In the UK, where it can only be found in Southern and Eastern England, the Pine Hawk-moth is single brooded, flying in May and June. On the continent 2 generations occur and the animal can be seen from May to mid October. The moths fly at dusk mainly, hovering before their beloved flowers. It overwinters (sometimes twice) as a pupa. The caterpillars live on Scots Pine. The Pine Hawk-moth is also referred to scientifically as Hyloicus pinastri.

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Orange Swift Triodia sylvina

Orange Swift Triodia sylvina

Orange Swift Triodia sylvina

Ghost Moths, aka Swifts (Hepialidae)

The family is usually referred to as Ghost Moths, but is also called Swift Moths or Swifts. It is a family of rather primitive moths, of which only 5 species appear in Western Europe. The adults are characterized by the rather elongate wings and short antennae. The white larvae all eat roots of plants. Most of them live inside the roots. As roots are hard to digest most species will overwinter as a larva twice, just like many larvae of beetles living in wood. In our garden only the Orange Swift made its appearance so far. Having a wingspan of 32 up to 48 mm. this is a very variable species in size. The caterpillar lives in or near the roots of dandelion, bracken and other plants for two years before pupating. The adults are on the wing from July to September. The females of the Orange Swift drop their eggs flying low over the host plants. Very common in England and Wales, less so in Scotland. The scientific name of this animal has been changing rapidly, but it is still also referred to as Hepialus sylvinus and Hepialus sylvina.

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Festoon Apoda limacodes

Festoon Apoda limacodes

Festoon Apoda limacodes

Family: Slug Moths (Limacodidae)

Another moth family named after the caterpillars: the Slug Moths. In the USA this family is better known as Slug Caterpillars. The larvae are unique indeed! They do resemble slugs: they are almost legless and stick to leaves the way slugs do. When you turn them over, you will see a jelly like smooth surface. And just like in snails, the caterpillars will try to turn to their usual position by contracting the underside of the body in waves. During this process the mouth, which is located near the jelly-like 'foot' is pulled upwards and hardly visible. The adult moths are small, but sturdy animals looking like owlets and prominents. Males are brown and have a dark brown V-shape on both wings. Females are slightly larger, yellowish and their V-shaped marking usually is ochre. Males regularly fly in sunshine. The Festoon reaches a wingspan of only 30 mm. They are on the wing in the summermonths from June to August. The larvae are seen from August to October, especially on oak and beech. The pupa overwinters in a self-made cocoon. Because of the shape of the cocoon this family is also referred to as Cup Moths or (particularly in the USA and Canada) Saddleback Moths. The Festoon is not very common in Britain and appears only as a local species in the southern part of Engeland. It is unknown from Wales and Scotland. Presence in Ireland doubtful. In the Benelux countries and in England a second species of this family may be found. It is called the Triangle, but it is very rare.

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Festoon Apoda limacodes

Festoon Apoda limacodes

Festoon Apoda limacodes

Family: Slug Moths (Limacodidae)

Another moth family named after the caterpillars: the Slug Moths. In the USA this family is better known as Slug Caterpillars. The larvae are unique indeed! They do resemble slugs: they are almost legless and stick to leaves the way slugs do. When you turn them over, you will see a jelly like smooth surface. And just like in snails, the caterpillars will try to turn to their usual position by contracting the underside of the body in waves. During this process the mouth, which is located near the jelly-like 'foot' is pulled upwards and hardly visible. The adult moths are small, but sturdy animals looking like owlets and prominents. Males are brown and have a dark brown V-shape on both wings. Females are slightly larger, yellowish and their V-shaped marking usually is ochre. Males regularly fly in sunshine. The Festoon reaches a wingspan of only 30 mm. They are on the wing in the summermonths from June to August. The larvae are seen from August to October, especially on oak and beech. The pupa overwinters in a self-made cocoon. Because of the shape of the cocoon this family is also referred to as Cup Moths or (particularly in the USA and Canada) Saddleback Moths. The Festoon is not very common in Britain and appears only as a local species in the southern part of Engeland. It is unknown from Wales and Scotland. Presence in Ireland doubtful. In the Benelux countries and in England a second species of this family may be found. It is called the Triangle, but it is very rare.

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Tuft Moths (Nolidae)

Tuft Moths (Nolidae)

Tuft Moths (Nolidae)

The Black Arches, including the Least Black Arches, are part of a family of moths called the Tuft Moths. Scientists still disagree about this complicated family. At this moment most think that in our parts this is one family, divided into three uneven subfamilies:

1 the Black Arches (Nolinae), consisting of 5 species in Britain
2 the Nycteolines (Sarrothripinae), only reprented by two species in our parts
3 the Green Peas (Chloephorinae) of which 4 species are to be found in Britain

However the situation is very unclear, for the Black Arches are sometimes considered to be a mere subfamily of the Woolly Bears and the other two groups subfamilies of the Owlet Moths. In Skinner's for instance we do find the Tuft Moths, but they are only consisting of the Black Arches, while the other two subfamilies are dealt with in the section about Noctuids. All Tuft Moths do have one thing in common though: they have small tufts of erected scales on the forewing, hence the common name of the group. Anyway, the exact division of this group remains unclear. In our garden we have discovered two subfamilies to this very moment. We have not seen any of the Nycteolines yet. These are difficult to identify though, for whether you consider them to be Tuft Moths or Owlet Moths they rather look like Tortrixes!


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Least Black Arches Nola confusalis

Least Black Arches Nola confusalis

Least Black Arches Nola confusalis

Family: Tuft Moths (Nolidae)

Of the Black Arches this is one of the most common species in Britain. The markings are rather vague, but usually it is quite unmistakable, for it is the first of the Black Arches to appear. It is however similar to the Small Black Arches. That species makes the impresiion of being larger, because the wings are broader. The forwings are slightly darker than the forwings of Least Black Arches. The main difference is in the hindwings, which are much darker than those of Least Black Arches. And usually Least Black Arches stops flying about at the same time Small Black Arches starts flying. Least Black Arches is a rather unimpressive species, because the wingspan is some 16 to 24mm only.

The first eggs will hatch in June. The caterpillars grow very fast indeed. In August they are fully grown. They then spin a firm, rather rounded cocoon which is attached to the bark of trees. The caterpillars immediately pupate and spend the winter that way. The caterpillars are very similar to those of the Footmen, but have one pair of false legs less. They are light brown in colour and the body has a number of small orange warts on side and back in which stiff white hairs are inplanted. There are two, dark and regularly interrupted dorsal lines. Between the lines a variable number of darkbrown often triangular markings. The head is orange. The larvae can be found on a number of trees and shrubs, especially oak, beech and apple. They eat the leaves of the foodplant and not the lichens growing on the foodplant believed to be the food in the past. The caterpillars are rather fat, but reaching a length of 14mm remain rather short.

Least Black Arches is on the wing in May and June. It flies by night only, but is attracted to light. May also been seen during the day resting on tree trunks. This is a common species to befound all over Wales and Southern England, especially on rocky and sandy soil. A local species in Western Scotland and Northern England and Ireland. Scarce in northern Scotland. Also a local species on most parts of the continent, but becoming more numerous towards the south.

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Scarce Black Arches Nola aerugula

Scarce Black Arches Nola aerugula

Scarce Black Arches Nola aerugula

Family: Tuft Moths (Nolidae)

Scarce Black Arches is a small and unobtrusive moth. The basic colour is white. It is however covered in highly variable brownish or greyish bands and markings. The general shape of the animal however makes it rather umistakable. The only similar species is Least Black Arches, but usually that species flies earlier in the year. The protruding palps of the Black Arches may cause some confusing. Some might think they could be part of the big family of Snout Moths or Pyralids. The size plays a role in this confusion too, for Scarce Black Arches reaches a wingspan of some 15 to 20mm only.

The eggs are being laid in July and August. After hatching the young larvae do not become very active and remain small. As such they overwinter. After overwintering the larvae start feeding again to pupate in May in striking gondola-shaped cocoons. These are attached to the underside of a leaf, or in crevices of bark. The body of the caterpillar of Scarce Black Arches is greyish and so are the long hairs. A pinkish, orangelike yellow line runs on both sides of the back. Black markings are visible between the two lines. The head is dark brown. The first pair of legs is missing. The caterpillars reach a length of some 13 to 15mm.

Scarce Black Arches is on the wing from the end of June to the start of August in just one generation. Was a resident in Britain (Deal, Kent) up to 1898. Has been an immigrant since, seen on the coast of south and southeast England. The highest number recorded formally was eight in 1982. It strongly prefers sandy soils, making it a local species over much of Europe. Very common in the dunes of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Denmark, where most of the British immigrants probably originate.

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Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana

Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana

Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana

Family: Tuft Moths (Nolidae)

It is hardly possible to mistake the Green Silver-lines for any other species. It is bright light green with three silvery white lines running over the wing. Sometimes white bands are visible in the middle of the front wing and near the edge of it. The head and the thorax are green as well. The antennae are pink or orange. Both palps and front legs are pink. Other legs are pinkish or white. Males and females differ in one respect: the colour of the hind wings: yellowish white in males and snowwhite in females. The only species looking like it is the Scarce Silver-lines. That species however is larger, darker, the green is not clouded by white and it has two very straight silvery lines only. The Green Silver-lines reaches a wingspan of 32 to 40mm.

The eggs are laid one by one in summer. They are very flat and white with a red dot when just laid. After that they quickly become more red and then do look like small plant galls indeed. The caterpillars are yellowish green when young and darker green reaching maturity. The body is entirely covered in small yellow markings. There are whitish yellow subdorsal lines and just behind the bright all green head is a striking yellow collar. In autumn the caterpillars make strong, boat shaped cocoons, which are attached to leaves, between leaf litter or in crevices in the bark of trees. Pupation and overwintering as a pupa takes place inside this cocoon. The larvae are found on several trees, such as beech, birch and hazel, but oak is the favourite tree indeed. The caterpillars of the Green Silver-lines reach a length of some 34 to 38mm.

The Green Silver-lines usually flies in just one generation from May to mid July. There is however an occasional very small second generation in the south of England and on the continent, on the wing in August and September. The species flies during the night only, but is easily attracted to light. Careful photographers may find this species may be handled before taking pictures. Can be found on dry sandy soils only, which makes it a rather local species all over Europe. Common, widespread, but local all over Britain, except for Scotland, where it is locally common in the south only.

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Owlet Moths (Noctuidae)

Owlet Moths (Noctuidae)

Owlet Moths (Noctuidae)

The Noctuids make up a very big family of moths. There are over 20,000 species known worldwide. In Britain it is the largest Moth family and represented by over 400 species. Most species are robust moths with long usually brownish wings, which have given them the common name of Owlet Moths. The wings are quite narrow, though. Some owlets have a different appearance, such as the Fan-feet and the Snouts. These do look like a crossing between Geometer Moths and Grassmoths. Minors and Rustics are extremely small and are often mistaken for micro moths, especially Pyralids. There are only very few Noctuids active during the day; most fly by night exclusively. But the moth most seen during daytime all over the country is an Owlet Moth: the Silver Y. Some Minors also fly in sunshine. Noctuids are good flyers. Contrary to the Geometer Moths, even though these have much larger wings. Among the Noctuids are quite some migrant species, travelling thousands of miles each year. In order to identify Noctuids two spots on the wings are very important: the bean-shaped kidney spot and the circular spot nearby. By studying these spots carefully it is sometimes possible to tell apart two very similar species. Most Noctuids pupate in or close near the ground in a cocoon. Usually Owlet Moths overwinter being either egg or pupa. Some species overwinter in the larval stage, though. Only very few species overwinter being adult. The Owlet Moths are split up in various subfamilies scientifically. But it is rather confusing, changes often and doesn't mean much to the amateur. So we haven't even tried that on this site.


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Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis

Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis

Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis

Probably not everyone will interpret the markings on the wings representing a heart and a dagger, but they are more so in this species than in any other. The Heart and Club however is very similar. Most characteristic for the Heart and Dart however is the dark mark on colar. Other parts of the wings are extremely variable. The basic colour may be brownish, yellowish, greyish or almost blackish. Some are dark enough to lack almost all markings. Males usually are paler than females and have whitish hindwings, while females have grey hindwings. Both ***es have unfeathered antennae. Reaching a wingspan of 35 to 44mm, the largest animals are usually slightly larger than similar darts.

The caterpillars of the Heart and Dart may be found on foodplants from the end of May to the beginning of October. They eat by day and hide on the ground, usually in debris or leaflitter by day. By the beginning of October they'll dig a chamber in the ground, where they spend winter. In the same chamber they'll pupate after overwintering. By the end of April the first adults will appear. The larva is brownish on top and greyish below. Three dark lines run on top and there are dark broen spots from which hairs grow. The caterpillar is very similar to the caterpillars of some other darts. It will reach a length up to 38mm.

The Heart and Dart has two broods a year and usually appears from May to the end of September, even though the second generation appears in southern Britain only. Northwards there's just one brood flying in June and July mainly. This species regularly flies during daylight and is often seen on flowers attracting butterflies, such as Buddleia in broad daylight. It is attracted to light and often the most common catch in light traps in July. Catching hundreds of them in just a few hours is not something special. It is this abundant all over Britain and Ireland, except for Scotland, where it is just common and Orkney, where it is rare. Common and often abundant on most of the continent as well.

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Heart and Club Agrotis clavis

Heart and Club Agrotis clavis

Heart and Club Agrotis clavis

The Heart and Club is very similar to the Heart and Dart. Both are yellowish or greyish brown moths with obscure and rather dark markings. And what's more: both are very variable indeed. Especially extremely pale and very dark specimens could present you with a problem. Experts usually tell the Heart and Club apart by looking at the shape of the forewing, which is broad and comparatively blunt. Usually the round spot is accentuated by a black circle, giving an eye-like impression. Finally the Heart and Club does not have a dark collar. And by the way the Turnip Moth is similar as well, but it is usually much greyer, darker and less well marked. Of the three species mentioned the Heart and Club is the smallest, reaching a wingspan of 35 to 40 mm only, even though there's quite some overlap.

The caterpillars of the Heart and Club may be found on the foodplants from August to November. They eat by day and hide on or in the ground by day. In the beginning of december they'll dig a chamber in the ground, where they spend winter. In the same chamber they'll pupate after overwintering. In June next year the first adults will appear. The larva is greyish brown. One, rather vague line runs over the back. It is very similar to the caterpillars of some other darts and very hard to identify. It lives on many low growing herbaceous plants, such as clover, Fat-hen, Dock, knotgrass and wild Carrot, where it may eat both the leaves and the roots. It may reach a length of some 36mm.

The Heart and Club does not fly during the day voluntarily. It is however easily attracted to light and sugar. Doesn't allow itself to be disturbed easily during the day and can be photographed painlessly. A common and sometimes even abundant species on sandy soils, both near the coast and inland. Very common in the Southern half of England. Northwards a rather local species. In other parts of Europe common on sandy soils too, scarce or absent elsewhere.

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Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta

The Shuttle-shaped Dart is small compared to most other darts in the Agrotis genus. There is a considerable difference between males and females. The male has light wings with dark markings, as can be seen in the top pictures. The circular spot is light too and often hard to see and sometimes invisible. The kidney spot however is dark and clearly stands out clearly. In females this is reversed, as depicted in the bottom photographs. She has dark wings. Her kidney spot is dark too and hardly visible. Her round spot however is light and strikingly present. By the way: the round spot looks like an oval, which has been pulled into two directions. Even though few moths are rather similar in wing markings, none of those has the striking light grey hairs on the thorax. The wing span of the Shuttle-shaped Dart varies little from 30 to 33mm.

The eggs are being laid from April onwards in big groups on leaves of the food plants. The Shuttle-shaped Dart flies in two and probably even three generations a year. And because the species overwinters being a larva, the caterpillars can be found all year long. During the night the caterpillars can be seen feeding on the host plant. During the night they rest in a little hole in the ground. The same hole is used to pupate in. This happens in a light cocoon and takes some three to four weeks only. The caterpillar is of an undefined kind of brown. It has a vague, grey dorsal line. Several faint lines are found on both sides. The head is brown showing small black markings. It is extremely similar to the caterpillar of the Heart and Dart. The behaviour of the caterpillar of the Shuttle-shaped Dart differs from that of most other Agrotis species. While most eat the roots of the foodplants, this species feeds on the leaves.It prefers low growing plants and loves dandelions and dock, but other plants are eaten too and the caterpillar is occassionally found on lettuce. It reaches a length of 30 to 34mm once full grown.

Because the broods of the Shuttle-Shaped Dart are overlapping, the species is on the wing for a long time indeed. The first are seen in April, the last are on the wing in October. It flies by night only, but happily visits flowers in gardens. This species is, like many other Agrotis species, extremely interested in Buddleija. Both male and female are attracted to light and sugar. It is a good model for photographers during the day and may even be manipulated up to a certain extend. This species loves open territories, including roughs, light forests, parks and gardens. Widespread and common in Wales and the southern half of England. Extremely rare in Ireland. No records from northern England, nor from Scotland. Very common on the continent, except for northern parts.

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