Moths (Lepidoptera) @ Peartree
We have around 2500 species of moth in Britain, of which 250 have been recorded so far at Peartree Green. Here are some of the species photographed so far at the Green. All photos were taken in the daytime and most show day-flying species, although nocturnal moths were occasionally found in catches from vegetation sweeping or tree sampling
Blastobasidae
Scavenger Moths (6 British species)
Blastobasis lacticolella
An introduced species whose caterpillars can feed on a wide range of materials. The adults are nocturnal
Photos: Geoff Frampton (from tree sampling on our June 2024 Insect Walk)
Crambidae
Grass Moths (40 British species)
Agriphila tristella - Common Grass-Veneer
Caterpillars feed on the base of grass stems
Photos: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)
Chrysoteuchia culmella - Garden Grass-Veneer
Caterpillars feed on the base of grass stems
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our June 2024 Insect Walk)
Erebidae
Underwing and Tiger Moths (60 British species)
Callistege mi - Mother Shipton
Named after Old Mother Shipton, a 16th-century Yorkshire witch, as the pattern of the forewing supposedly resembles her face. Caterpillars of this species feed mainly on clover and grasses
Photo: Nic Burns
Euplagia quadripunctaria - Jersey Tiger - on our Peartree Green LNR sign! Their caterpillars feed on a range of herbaceous plants including Nettle
Photos: Jill Doubleday & Ian Watts (August 2023)
Noctuidae
Owlet Moths (150 British species)
Autographa gamma - Silver Y
Caterpillars feed on a wide range of low plants
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk)
Tortricidae
Tortrix Moths (40 British species)
Dichrorhampha petiverella - Common Drill
Caterpillars feed on the roots of Yarrow and Tansy
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our July 2023 insect walk)
Neocochylis hybridella - White-Fronted Straw
Caterpillars feed in the seed heads of Ox-Tongue or Hawk's-Beard
Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)
Have you seen any moths at Peartree Green and would like to share your photos?
(contact us here)