Butterfly Conservation - saving butterflies, moths and their habitats
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saving butterflies, moths and their habitats
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Moths of the month: October 2008

This is a monthly series illustrating several characteristic moths to look out for in our area. Text and photos by Roy Leverton.

Autumnal Moth (photo by Roy Leverton)



Autumnal Moth

Epirrita autumnata

Flies from October into November.

Especially common in birch woodland.

More silvery grey than the other species in this tricky group, and also the last to emerge.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

View other months

2008
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Nov/Dec

2009
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Nov/Dec


 
Feathered Thorn (photo by Roy Leverton)

Feathered Thorn
Colotois pennaria

Late September into November.

Occurs in deciduous woodland, parkland and towns.

An unmistakeable species with its russet autumn colouring, though rather local in our area.

Click on the image to enlarge it.


Brindled Ochre (photo by Roy Leverton)

Brindled Ochre
Dasypolia templi

Late September into November, then again in Spring.

Inhabits farmland, wasteland and open country.

The caterpillar of this shaggy, rough-scaled moth lives in the rootstock of hogweed and angelica.

Unusually for a hibernating species, the adult cannot feed. Only mated females survive the winter.

Click on the image to enlarge it.


Merveille du Jour (photo by Roy Leverton)

Merveille du Jour
Dichonia aprilina

Late September through October.

Woodland and parkland with oaks.

Not all autumn moths are orange or yellow. This splendid species rests on mossy and lichened tree trunks, greener now than in the summer.

Click on the image to enlarge it.


Angle Shades (phot by Roy Leverton)

Angle Shades
Phlogophora meticulosa

May be found all year round, but most numerous in autumn when augmented by migration.

Arable farmland, towns and gardens.

With its unique crinkled resting posture, this distinctive species is easily recognised. It sits openly, often on withered vegetation, trusting in its camouflage.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

 

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