You may have been intrigued by the great variety and charm of the English names of our moths.

All the larger moths found in Britain have English names along with their scientific name. Many of the English names in use today are old, or are a corruption of a much older name. Many moths had colloquial names before being given a scientific name.

Some moths are named after the individuals that discovered them, for example Ashworth's Rustic was named after Joseph Ashworth, a "rustic" being a moth of a drab appearance. A group of moths called the "wainscots" were thought to resemble wood-panelling.

Others seem to have more whimsical derivations, such as the Mother Shipton, which appears to have the profile of the legendary witch on its wings.

The Foresters were so-named in the 18th century as the colour resembled the traditional Lincoln green garb that the royal foresters were still apparently wearing at the time.

The Lackey Moth caterpillar has striped colours which resembled the livery lace then worn by servants or lackeys.

The Vestal is a Victorian translation from the Latin name sacraria, the name for a female keeper of a temple, a priestess or a vestal virgin. This is perhaps because priestesses were thought to have worn saffron robes, or just because the simple yet beautiful pattern of the moth suggested chastity.

The scientific names are quently derived from characteristics of the species, which may reflect colour, where discovered, foodplant, a person's name, or the resemblance to some other object. The Death's-head Hawk-moth has a striking yellow pattern on its thorax which is said to resemble a death mask. Its scientific name, Acherontia atropos, is derived from 'Acheron' – the river of pain in the underworld, and 'Atropos' one of the three Fates, who cuts the thread of life.

The scientific name of the Dark Crimson Underwing is Catocala sponsa. This comes from 'katõ' -below, and 'kalos' -beautiful, from the brightly coloured hindwings of the moth and from 'sponsus' – promised in marriage, or 'sponsa' – a fiancée or bride. Linnaeus started a convention of naming species with brightly coloured hindwings in a matrimonial context. This was possibly an oblique reference to gaudy underwear purportedly worn by Scandinavian brides!