Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria

Late July to early September.

Sallow carr, damp woodland and scrub.

This elegant species is widespread in our area, especially in the west, but seldom seen in numbers.

Its colours, shape and markings presumably mimic a yellowing leaf. The harmony is exquisite, though why humans should find it aesthetically pleasing is harder to explain.

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Rosy Minor Mesoligia literosa

Late July through August.

Open grassy habitats, especially coastal.

Though this small noctuid is found inland, it is far more numerous on the coast. Its caterpillar feeds inside the stems of grasses so is rarely found, but the adult can be very numerous on ragwort flowerheads after dusk.

It is easier to identify than many of its relatives because of the strong reddish tones in its colour scheme.

Scotch Annulet Gnophos obfuscatus 

Late July through August.

Rocky crags, quarries, scree slopes.

This rather local geometrid is restricted by habitat rather than foodplants, requiring a terrain with much bare rock. Even raised pebble beaches will suffice, as in the Lossie area. Its grainy grey wings provide excellent camouflage against rock faces.

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Twin-spot Carpet Mesotype didymata

Late June into September.

Occurs almost everywhere.

Twin-spot Carpet is one of our most abundant and ubiquitous geometrids, able to use a huge range of foodplants. It flies throughout the summer, but numbers peak in early August. Largely diurnal and crepuscular, it is more often seem fluttering along woodland rides and road verges than at light, but it is equally at home along the coast and in heather moorland.

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Old Lady Mormo maura

August.

Mainly marshes, carr, river valleys.

No photograph does justice to this moth. In terms of wing area it is easily the largest resident Scottish noctuid. In Highland region it is very local, found mainly in the sheltered lower river valleys. However, despite its size it is a lurking, skulking species, not strongly attracted to light or flowers, though fond of sugar. As a result it is probably overlooked.

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