The Phoenix Eulithis prunata  

July into August.

Gardens and allotments.

As this chocolate-brown moth depends for foodplant on currants and gooseberries, it is rarely if ever found in the open countryside. It tends to be a low-density species, associated with long-established Ribes bushes in old-fashioned kitchen gardens. In our area it is most often recorded from the inner Moray Firth

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Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina  

Late June to early August.

Open woodland and scrub.

Most moths in this subfamily are some shade of brown, but this species is a pleasing exception.

Though widespread, it is never particularly numerous, so fresh and unfaded specimens are always a welcome sight. They look particularly stunning when seen by torchlight while feeding at sugar.

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Goat Moth Cossus cossus

Late June and July.

Mature, open, deciduous woodland.

This huge and rather primitive wood-boring moth was recently declared a BAP species because of its long-term British decline.

Despite much apparently suitable habitat, only three occupied areas are currently known in Highland, where birch seems to be its tree of choice.

Though it is most easily recorded in the larval stage, adults are occasionally found at rest on tree trunks, looking like a projecting snag or shard of bark.

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Red Carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria  

Late June to early August.

Moorland and other upland open habitats.

The English name of Red Carpet is a slight exaggeration. It is similar is size and general appearance to various related species. In this example the central band is reddish, but often it is a dull purplish-brown.

Like most of its kind, the adult is easily disturbed into flight by day.

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The Snout Hypena proboscidalis  

Late June into August.  

Waste ground, roadsides, woodland edge - anywhere with nettles.  

The long palps of this moth give rise to both the English and scientific name. Its shape is equally distinctive: nearly a perfect equilateral triangle.

It can be disturbed from almost any sizeable patch of nettles, usually causing it to fly deeper into the clump. Most are a darker and duller shade of brown than the example illustrated.

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