Early Tooth-striped, Trichopteryx carpinata

Found in open woodland and heathland, April into May.

The muted grey tones of this spring carpet moth are an effective camouflage against most tree trunks, though this individual stands out on silver birch.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Scarce Prominent, Odontosia carmelita

Mature birch woodland, mid April through May.

The Scarce Prominent lives up to its name, being local and never numerous. The only realistic chance of seeing this species is in a light trap. Our Highland ones are richly coloured.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Emperor Moth, Saturnia pavonia

Open habitats, particularly heather moorland, April into May.

One of everybody's favourite moths, but never numerous enough to become over-familiar. Males are very active in the afternoon sunshine, while the "Empress" is sometimes found sitting on the heather before her dusk flight. Again, our Highland ones are often more deeply coloured than their southern counterparts.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Belted Beauty, Lycia zonaria

Found in April, on sandy coasts and machair.

This strange little moth is very much a Hebridean speciality. It is partly diurnal, the males flying on sunny afternoons in search of wingless females. Both sexes seem to be warningly coloured, or at least some way along that evolutionary road, making them unusual amongst British geometrids.

Click on the images to enlarge them.

Early Grey, Xylocampa areola

Found in April on woodland edge, sometimes gardens.

The thoracic and abdominal crests are the main distinguishing feature of this almost monochrome moth. It is local and mainly western in our area, perhaps following the distribution of its sole larval foodplant, honeysuckle. Occasionally it may be noticed resting on a fence or tree trunk.

Click on the image to enlarge it.