Moths provide a vital resource in the ecosystem, including being part of the food chain for other animals to snack on. While plenty of people view moths as the drab, bland looking relatives of the butterflies, plenty of moths are beaming with colour. For those creatures higher in the food chain, moths are an absolute feast for the eyes (as well as their tummies).
Red
The Cinnabar boasts the most striking red spots on their forewings, revealing a block of bright rouge in the underwing, the colour combination somewhat reminiscent of Dennis the Menace.
Other similar looking species with red spots include different burnets such as the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet. Meanwhile the Transparent Burnet, not completely see-through due to the striking scarlet of its wings also shows a strong block of colour.
Orange
One of the most striking orange moths is the Emperor Moth, whose glittering underwings are accompanied by four intensely coloured markings that look like eyes. If you have ever stared in wonder at the sight of this moth, it very well may have looked like they were staring back!
The Barred Hook-tip has a more consistent dark-sand like colour, or that of melted butter, which can also include a darker stripe across their wings.
Yellow
The Hornet Moth is an incredible example of deterrence, with the moth adapting to resemble a hornet to ward off predators for fear of being stung. To the untrained eye the fluorescent flashes of yellow definitely signify ‘leave me alone!’
Speckled Yellow are as sunny-yellow as a sunflower, sprinkled with brown blotches (almost like freckles!) The Yellow Shell, meanwhile also deserves a mention for their often bright and cheery yellow colouring (which can also include variations of brown).
Green
There are ten different species that belong to the delicate and beautiful emerald moth group, who are part of the geometrid family– nine of which are a gorgeous shade of green. Named after the beautiful gemstone, these moths can be seen across the UK, with different species in different areas. The most widespread include the Large Emerald and Grass Emerald.
Blue
Clifden Nonpareil is a huge moth that flies in just one generation per year, in early autumn. This species used to be very rare but has increased massively in recent years. It has a dash of baby-blue across its underwing.
The Eyed Hawk-Moth, meanwhile, may not be visible in October as they overwinter as pupae in the ground. However, during their adult season in May to July, their blue eye pattern on their pink underwings would certainly be worth the wait.
Purple
The Mint Moth, which we might expect to be more of a green colour to resemble the plant, is actually purple on its forewings with spots of yellow. This is a very small species but can be found across England, Wales, parts of Scotland and in the Channel Islands.
The Purple-bordered Gold, is very aptly named after its colouring of the purple outline of the wing, however this is also accompanied by yellow wing edges.
Pink
The Elephant Hawk Moth is certainly a myth-buster for anyone assuming moths are all brown and dark colours. With the bright pink stripe running through the body and wings this is a treat for anyone who catches a glimpse of them, the adults of whom are usually nocturnal.
A more subtle pink colour is found in the Vestal, a migrant species that can appear in many places and habitats across Britain. Primarily a cream-coloured species, the pigmentation can vary between individuals, pink however can appear in the background of the entire wing, or as two confident strikes across the forewing.
If you’d like to explore other colourful species of moths, or have seen a moth you’d like to identify, our handy Identify a Moth guide can filter moths via their colour, size, or pattern.
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