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Wild Animals
Moths
Moths are a part of a family of insects (along with butterflies) called ‘lepidoptera’ meaning scaled wings. This derives from the Greek words lepis (meaning scale) and pteron (meaning wing). Generally most moths are active by night and the colour of their wings is often shades of brown, black and grey to help in night-time camouflage.
Not all moths, however, are dull in colour. Some species such as the Large Emerald Moth are considered to be as colourful and beautiful as a butterfly. As with butterflies, the moth’s colouration is created by thousands of dust-like scales on their wings.
Moths are a successful species with over 2,000 individual species in England alone. Moths generally have thicker, heavier and hairier bodies than butterflies and their antennae can be slender, pointed or feathery.
The subject of moths can be overwhelming and we have only written about 4 individual species of moths for our readers with some preliminary interest.
Hawkmoth (Privet)
The Privet Hawkmoth is the largest native moth species in England and can be found in woodlands and in wetland with grassy vegetations. Sometimes it can be seen resting
Moth (Dark Bordered Beauty)
The Dark Bordered Beauty Moth is a small and rare moth found in small colonies only at Strensall Common in Yorkshire and in Newham Bog in Northumberland in England. It c
Moth (Garden Tiger)
The Garden Tiger Moth is a striking looking moth that is common throughout England, although it has started to decline in the south-east. It can be seen in damp meadows,
Moth (Grey Dagger)
The Grey Dagger Moth is common throughout England and is a ‘noctuid’ moth which means it is active at night. It can be found in hedgerows, parks, gardens, woodlands,
Moth (Large Emerald)
The Large Emerald Moth can be seen throughout England in woodlands, heathlands, grasslands, parks, hedgerows and gardens from June to August. It flies at night and is at
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