Moths are closely related to butterflies, with almost 2500 species recorded in the UK

Finding and recording moths and other topics of interest

• How to start 'mothing'

  Find out how to become involved in recording moths.
  Filesize: 1.86 Mb (pdf)
  

• Lives of moths

  The life cycle of moths
  Filesize: 668.47 Kb (pdf)
  

• Finding moths

  Have fun attempting the different methods of finding moths
  Filesize: 117.51 Kb (pdf)
  

• Identifying moths

  Find out how to identify moths
  Filesize: 572.69 Kb (pdf)
  

• Light pollution

  What are its affects on moths?
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• Bats and moths

  An interesting relationship between predator and prey
  Filesize: 283.50 Kb (doc)
  

• Overwintering

  What strategies do moths and caterpillars employ to survive the colder months?
  Filesize: 146.68 Kb (pdf)
  

• Immigration

  What is the difference between resident and immigrant moths, where do they come from and why?
  Filesize: 117.89 Kb (pdf)
  

• Conservation of moths

  Moths are in decline, find out what you can do to help in their conservation
  Filesize: 640.29 Kb (pdf)
  

Frequently encountered moths

• Angle Shades

  Resembles a dead leaf when at rest during the day
  Filesize: 73.30 Kb (pdf)
  

• Buff-tip

  Superbly camouflaged to look like a broken twig
  Filesize: 53.77 Kb (pdf)
  

• Humming-bird Hawk-moth

  A swift flying moth, most frequently seen hovering at nectar sources in a similar fashion to hummingbirds
  Filesize: 93.89 Kb (pdf)
  

• Magpie

  A striking moth sometimes found on Bramble, a favoured resting place during the day
  Filesize: 47.54 Kb (pdf)
  

• Silver Y

  A regular summer visitor to our shores
  Filesize: 57.86 Kb (pdf)
  

• Poplar Hawk-moth

  The most frequently encountered hawk-moth resident in the British Isles
  Filesize: 57.76 Kb (pdf)
  

• Lime Hawk-moth

  A distinctive resident hawk-moth regularly found in parks and gardens
  Filesize: 77.58 Kb (pdf)
  

• Garden Tiger

  A very attractive brightly coloured moth and furry caterpillar that many might recognise
  Filesize: 72.38 Kb (pdf)
  

• Death's Head Hawk-moth

  Considered an "omen of death" due to the characteristic skull-like markings on this moth
  Filesize: 86.45 Kb (pdf)
  

• Cinnabar

  A day-flying (and night-flying), brightly coloured moth commonly mistaken to be a butterfly
  Filesize: 85.92 Kb (pdf)
  

Frequently encountered caterpillars

• Pale Tussock

  Distinctive yellow caterpillars with black stripes and tussocky hairs, also known as the "Hop Dog"
  Filesize: 74.06 Kb (pdf)
  

• Vapourer

  Black caterpillars with red spots and tufted hairs resembling a paint brush
  Filesize: 61.31 Kb (pdf)
  

• Sycamore

  Striking, extremely hairy, yellow and red caterpillar with bright white spots along its back
  Filesize: 74.65 Kb (pdf)
  

• Mullein

  A whitish caterpillar with bright black and yellow spots, found in many habitats
  Filesize: 52.58 Kb (pdf)
  

• Lackey

  Blue caterpillar with white, black and orange-red stripes running the length of its body
  Filesize: 48.26 Kb (pdf)
  

• Elephant Hawk-moth

  Large green or brown caterpillar with large eyespots, which is said to resemble an elephant's trunk
  Filesize: 78.24 Kb (pdf)
  

Potential and occasional problem moths

• Brown-tail

  The hairs of the caterpillar can cause skin irritation and rashes.
  Filesize: 3.15 Mb (pdf)
  

• Clothes Moths

  Damage attributed to Clothes Moths is often caused by other insects, including Carpet Beetles.
  Filesize: 120.25 Kb (pdf)
  

• Ermine Moths

  A few species of ermine moth can occasionally defoliate some garden shrubs.
  Filesize: 3.20 Mb (pdf)
  

• Gypsy Moth

  An occasional immigrant. The caterpillars of this moth can occasionally defoliate trees.
  Filesize: 1.14 Mb (pdf)
  

• Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner

  This moth can cause browning of the leaves on Horse Chestnut trees.
  Filesize: 1.66 Mb (pdf)
  

• Oak Processionary

  The caterpillar can defoliate oak trees, and its hairs can cause irritation and respiratory problems.
  Filesize: 430.81 Kb (pdf)