Introducing moths

Moths are closely related to butterflies. Only around 60 species of butterfly are seen regularly in the UK, but there are around 2,500 species of moths.

Moths come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and are found from the shoreline to the mountain-top. Moths can be found all year round, even in winter.

They are one of the most diverse animal groups on the planet.

Like butterflies their life-cycle comprises of egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult.

Some species live as adults for only a few days, while others live for many months and hibernate over the winter. Some live as caterpillars for 3 to 4 years.

Moths are just as affected by habitat loss as butterflies, with numbers dropping by a third since 1968. Some moths, like the Reddish Buff and Barberry Carpet are highly threatened. Other species, like the Bordered Gothic may now be extinct in the UK.

Moths are an essential part of the food chain for birds, bats and mammals. Blue Tit chicks alone feed on an estimated 35 billion caterpillars a year in Britain. The sharp drop in our garden bird populations may be directly related to the drop in moth numbers.

Find out what you can do to help conserve moths in Britain.

Studying moths was a fashionable hobby as far back as the early 1700s. Many of the species more fanciful names, like Peach Blossom and Puss Moth, were coined at this time.

Moth myths

Myth: all moths eat clothes

Reality: Only about six of Britain’s 2,500 moth species eat clothes. The ones that do, generally prefer dirty clothes that are hidden away in dark places where they are not disturbed. Damage is caused by these few species when they are caterpillars.

Myth: moths are nocturnal and only fly by night

Reality: It is true that most species fly by night. However, more species of moth fly during the day than there are butterfly species in the UK. Our Day-flying Moth Identifier has over 100 species of moth.

Myth: all moths are drab and hairy compared with butterflies

Reality: Many moth species are very colourful, such as the brightly patterned tiger moths. Others are less so, but on closer inspection cryptic patterns can be seen which have evolved to aid camouflage. Some species of moth are furry, but some butterflies have hairy or furry bodies too.