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)