Macro moths: D-F
MACRO MOTHS
List of Macros (D - F) :
Dark Arches moth
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'.
Date
Sighting
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.
08.07.2005
Spent the night indoors and found on inside of window.
Attracted to lighted window.
23.06 - 30.08.2014
29.07.2008
Attracted to light.
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet moth
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
The general similarity with the Red Twin-spot Carpet is easy to see - and at first I thought they were one and the same.
However, the main distinguishing features of the Dark-barred Twin-spot are
a) the rather more sombre colouring and
b) the distinct vee shaped notch on the forward edge of the dark band near the outer edge of the wing.
Date
28.07.2006
Sighting
Attracted to light.
1st generation attracted to light.
06 - 17.05.2014
28.05.2009
This species also flies slightly later than the Red Twin-spot, in May and June and again in late July and August.
Larval foodplants are the Bedstraws, Ground-ivy and Docks.
2nd generation attracted to light.
12.08.2009
09.09.2014
Two generations attracted to light.
December moth
Poecilocampa populi
After several frosty nights, it was something of a surprise to find this moth on the wing but as its name suggests, it was flying true to form. It is common throughout much of Britain and Ireland and flies from October to December.
Date
07.12.2003
Sighting
Back garden.
The caterpillars are active from May to July before pupating in the soil. The widely varying pupation period of different moth and butterfly species helps to avoid species competition.
The caterpillars feed on a variety of deciduous trees, including Oak, Apple, Plum, Cherry and Hawthorn.
The left hand side of the lower image shows the comparitively large feathered antenna of the male. This measured 7mm by 2mm.
Dingy Footman moth
Eilema griseola and
The upper image shows the standard grey version of the Dingy Footman, the wings being, appropriately, a pale dingy grey (compared to the slate grey of the Common Footman) with a faint pale leading edge.
When variation in wing coloration or differing light conditions starts to cause confusion, the distinguishing feature that separates it from the Common Footman is the noticeably broader wing with a curved leading edge and a less well defined pale leading edge stripe.
Date
25.07.2004
Sighting
Hay meadow western hedge at 18:55hrs..
01.08.2006
It is also a single generation species, flying a little later than the Common Footman, from July to August.
The lower image is of a 10mm larval specimen found in late October. It was found on an external door at night and was probably looking for a suitable place to hibernate.
On emerging from hibernation, they will continue feeding through Spring and a mature larvae could reach a length of 25mm by May prior to entering pupation.
17.08.2009
23.10.2006
The yellow form came to light indoors.
10mm larva found.
Adult attracted to light.
Adult attracted to light.
..... E. griseola f. stramineola
The apparently different wing shape is solely down to a slightly greater wing overlap in this image and is not a significant identification feature.
The larvae feed on lichens, algae, mosses and even withered leaves so food sources should not restrict its breeding limits and it is slowly extending its residential area northwards to the English Midlands.
Adult attracted to light.
Adult attracted to light.
10.07.2010
03.07.2009
The middle image, is of the 'yellow form' of the Dingy Footman, E. griseola f. stramineola. This should not be confused with the pale forrm of the Buff Footman which has a pale leading edge to the wing - nor the Orange Footman which has a distinctive wing shape and is not at all common in Lincolnshire.
22.04 - 28.08.2014
Dun-bar moth
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.
Date
Sighting
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.
Attracted to light at back-door.
05.07 - 06.08.2014
25.07.2006
Frequent visitor attracted to light.
Early moth
Theria primaria
A moth that lives up to it's name is the Early Moth. In 2008 it was the first macro moth of the year to visit us. It is a single generation flier, the males being on the wing in January and February. The females have tiny little squared off wings and are incapable of flight. They just sit around on bare twigs and wait for the males to find them.
Date
Sighting
The species is well distributed in the UK as far as southern Scotland. But, because of its early season, is not as well recorded as it might be.
The favoured larval foodplants are Blackthorn and Hawthorn and it is on these bare winter hedges that you will have the best chance of seeing the adults - if you are prepared to prowl the hedges by torchlight. The 15mm males can usually be found from 19.00 to 01.00hrs. But the 10mm females coyly wait until about 22.00hrs before making themselves 'available'.
The male moths tend to feign death when disturbed and in the lower image this enabled me to get a shot of the underside of a different specimen. The coloration is rather bland but it reveals that the hind wings, which are also pale on top, also carry central spots.
The larvae feed from April to May and then enter a long pupal state just below ground until the adults hatch in January and the females make the long climb up to an appropriate courting vantage point.
Attracted to lighted kitchen window at 21.00hrs.
28.01.2008
Flew indoors, attracted to light.
Attracted to light.
01.03.2010
Attracted to light.
18.01.2011
Attracted to light.
14.02 - 09.03.2014
The male's forewings can be quite plain with just the two prominent dots and faint cross lines. In some areas of south-east England care is necessary in identifying late specimens because the Sloe Carpet moth which also favours Blackthorn, flies in March and April - and can look very similar although it tends to have rather more pointed wings and is rarer.
11.02.2007
Selenia dentaria
This colourful moth characteristically holds its wings in the closed upright fashion of butterflies.
There are usually two generations a year. The upper image is of a first generation specimen found in early April, the markings being rather better defined and the coloration rather more contrasting.
Date
31.07.2004
Sighting
Attracted to light at the open backdoor.
20.07.2005
Attracted to light at the open backdoor - again.
26.07.2008
Attracted to lighted window.
06.08.2008
30.03 - 10.04.2014
Attracted to light.
Forewing length can range from 14mm to 23mm, depending on generation and gender, males of the 2nd generation tending to be the smaller and females of the 1st generation tending to be the larger. It is widely distributed across the UK, being found as far north as the Orkney Isles, in both rural and urban areas.
The larvae feed on Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Hazel, Birch, Sallows and Honeysuckle. Overwintering larvae will pupate in leaf litter beneath the food plant but the summer larvae pupate in cocoons spun between the growing leaves of the plant.
Early Thorn moth
25.07.2006
The lower image is of second generation individual found in July. The second generation is generally of a smaller size than the first and is of a lighter, softer coloration - although there can be quite a variation between individuals.
These images are of males. It is just about possible to see their strongly feathered antennae used to help locate the pheromones given off by the females. The females tend to be rather greyer in colour.
Attracted to light at the open backdoor - again.
Attracted to lighted window.
Attracted to lighted window.
15.07.2009
Attracted to lighted window.
10.08.2009
Attracted to lighted window.
07.04.2010
11 - 20.07.2014
Elephant Hawkmoth
Deilephila elpenor
The Elephant Hawkmoth is very distinctive with its pink, orange and a hint of olive green forewings and starkly contrasting pink and black hindwings. Despite its common name, with a forewing length of 28mm to 33mm, it is not the largest of the UK Hawkmoths.
Date
Sighting
11.06 - 20.07.2010
It is principally a single generation species flying from May to August but, occasionally, a few late summer fliers suggest that it may sometimes breed twice. It is often seen feeding on the wing, Hummingbird style, from flowers such as Honeysuckle and after dark is frequently attracted to light.
The larvae feed from June to September on a wide range of plants, Willowherbs, bedstraws, fuschias, Himalayan Balsam and others. When searching across bare ground for a suitable pupation site (in leaf litter or loose soil) the caterpillars frequently attract attention due to their large size and prominent 'eye' markings.
Attracted to lighted window.
22.05 - 05.07.2014
Attracted to lighted window.
Fan-foot moth
Zanclognatha tarsipennalis
This is a small triangular shaped moth, its forewing only measuring about 15mm and at first glance it appeared to be a non-descript brown.
But, the straight line running across the trailing edge of the wings marked it out as something slightly different and closer inspection revealed the faint crescents and 'question mark' lines which identify the species.
Date
Sighting
It frequents broadleafed woodland and dense hedgerows wherein the larvae feed on the fallen withered leaves of oak, beech and bramble.
The single generation flies from June to August and is widely distributed in southern Britain, but less so in the north.
21.07.2005
Attracted to light, flew indoors and immediately settled high up in the corner of two walls.
Attracted to light, flew indoors.
01 - 05.07.2009
20.07.2006
Attracted to lighted window.
22.06 -
20.07.2014
Attracted to light.
Feathered Thorn moth
Colotois pennaria
The upper image is of a male, recocgnised by the feathered antennae - an aid to pheromone locating the female (lower image).
There can be quite a colour variation in this species, from a light creamy brown to rich russet.
Date
Sighting
In spring, the long, thin, 'looper' like caterpillars feed on a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, eg Quercus, Salix, Pyrus, Malus, Sorbus, Prunus, and Acer.
Male and female followed each other in the back door.
31.10.2004
Male found inside back door late at night.
Attracted to light.
06.10.2009
Attracted to light.
12.11.2009
Attracted to light.
12 - 31.10.2014
The Feathered Thorn is quite commonly distributed in Britain, though more locally in Scotland. The single generation flies in the autumn, from September to November.
29.10.2003
Flame moth
Axylia putris
The Flame is recognised by the long dark streak down the leading edge of the forewing and the dark reniform mark halfway down the wing - which is all very well if you happen to see it with its wings 'splayed out' in normal moth fashion. However, when at rest it tends to draw its wings in tightly round its body, even more exaggeratedly than seen in the image. This gives it a pronounced 'broad at the shoulders, narrow at the rear' appearance. And is great camouflage if at rest on a twig or plant stem when it could easily be mistaken for a piece of straw.
Date
Sighting
The single generation flies from late May to July. Larvae feed at night from late July to October on Stinging Nettle, White Dead Nettle, Hedge Bedstraw and other common hedge growing plants and it will pupate through the winter, underground.
It is common throughout England, Wales and Ireland but tends to be localised in southern and south-western Scotland.
16.06.2007
Attracted to lighted window at 22.12 hrs.
Attracted to lighted window.
22.06 - 15.07.2009
22.05 - 20.07.2010
Attracted to lighted window.
Attracted to lighted window.
31.05 - 05.07.2014
Flame Shoulder moth
Ochropleura plecta
This is a very common moth and, despite variations in colour intensity, it is easily recognised by the creamy white streak on the leading edge of the forewings. The orbicular and reniform stigma (the pale, oval and kidney shaped marks sometimes quite difficult to identify on other moths) stand out quite clearly.
Date
Sighting
Colour intensity is related to age. Newly emerged from pupation the wings are a dark walnut brown in sharp contrast with the pale leading edge stripe. With time the dark brown mellows and reveals subtle shades.
Pupation takes place in the soil. The 13mm pupa shown in the lower image was found in an open grassy hay meadow just below the surface in fine grained soil.
A slightly larger, slimmer and darker relative, Ochropleura leucogaster, whilst common in continental Europe, is a rare visitor to southern counties of the UK.
The caterpillars feed on a wide range of herbaceous plants including dock and plantain. And the larva in the adjacent image, found under a Hawthorn hedge when only 12mm long, after feeding quite happily on Ground Ivy and Dead Nettle, grew to 32mm within 12 days. Feeding takes place at night and the larvae rest at the base of the food plant during the day, characteristically in a head down position (the image having been rotated through 90 degrees).
Back garden.
01.05.2009
02.05 - 17.09.2014
16.09.2009
12mm caterpillar found under Hawthorn hedge.
On a diet of Ground Ivy and White Dead Nettle the same larva now measures 32mm.
Attracted to light.
Very dark 13mm pupa found just below soil level in a grassy field.
Moth emerged from pupation.
Moth found apparently just emerged from pupation.
28.09.2009
Moths attracted to light.
15.08.2003
Back garden.
17.07.2006
08.06.2008
05.05.2009
17.08.2009
The second image is of a one day old moth. Over time the colour then gradually fades and an old moth can look quite washed out but, still retains the characteristic pale leading edge to the wings.
The moths are to be found from April to September in Southern UK with numbers peaking in May/June and August due to two generations. Further north a single generation flies from late May to July.
Flounced Rustic moth
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.
Date
30.08.2005
Sighting
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.
25.08.2006
At rest on patio paving slabs.
Flew indoors, attracted to light.
11.08 - 11.09.2014
Attracted to light.
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.
Four-dotted Footman moth
Cybosia mesomella
The placing of the tiny black dots on the wing is a constant and diagnostic feature - one near the leading edge and one near the trailing edge. Although, as the wings are invariably overlapped at rest, only three dots may be visible.
There is another form, f. flava, that has uniformly dull yellow wings - with the four dots. And there is a much larger yellow winged species, the Four-spotted Footman, Lithosa quadra, that has significantly larger spots.
Date
Sighting
This species is more widely found in southern UK and is very localised on the UK islands.
The single generation flies from May to August and the larvae feed on lichens and algae growing on the woody stems of heather, sallows and the like.
09.07.2007
Attracted to lighted window.
Frosted Orange moth
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.
Date
Sighting
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.
09.09.2004
Found as it sought cover in grass bank in daylight.
Attracted to light.
16.09.2014