Pine Hawkmoth (Hyloicus pinastri)
Chesterfield
This rather drab, but distinctive, hawkmoth is widespread in central and south-eastern England. As its name suggests, its larvae feed on pines and various other conifers. Like its relatives, though, they are strong fliers and can wander far from where they emerged as caterpillars. This individual turned up in my old garden in Chesterfield.
Lime Hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae)
Chesterfield
This beautifully-patterned species is widespread in lowland England and Wales, and is similarly common in Derbyshire. It occurs in many habitats where there are mature trees of its foodplants - not only limes, but birches and various other species.
The swept-back, jagged wings, adorned with a green and brown blotched pattern are unique to this species. The very rare immigrant Willowherb Hawkmoth has a simlar pattern but is smaller and has never been recorded in Derbyshire.
The swept-back, jagged wings, adorned with a green and brown blotched pattern are unique to this species. The very rare immigrant Willowherb Hawkmoth has a simlar pattern but is smaller and has never been recorded in Derbyshire.
Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi)
Chesterfield
© Steve Furness
Calver (this and previous two photos) © Steve Furness
This common species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
comparison of Poplar & Lime Hawkmoth sizes, Chesterfield
comparison of Poplar & Lime Hawkmoth sizes, Chesterfield
Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Curbar © Steve Furness
An unpredictable and enigmatic moth, the Hummingbird Hawkmoth is a day-flying, immigrant species. It can turn up almost anywhere in high summer,including flowery gardens, where it can linger for some time while it investigates various nectar sources.
No other species resembles it, and once seen it is not quickly forgotten - an encounter with this stunning moth leaves a lasting impression.
No other species resembles it, and once seen it is not quickly forgotten - an encounter with this stunning moth leaves a lasting impression.
Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor)
Calver
caterpillar, Tideswell Dale
The Elephant Hawkmoth, named for the appearance of its caterpillar, is one of Britain's most strikingly-coloured moths and common throughout the lowlands. It shares the bold pink and off-yellow colours with the Small Elephant Hawkmoth but the two are easily distinguished: the Elephant Hawkmoth is more olive-green than yellow and has a stripe down the abdomen. It is also larger.
Small Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila porcellus)
Chesterfield
Calver © Steve Furness
Less common in Britain than its larger cousin, the Small Elephant Hawkmoth is still well-distributed in Derbyshire. It is described with the Elephant Hawkmoth above.
Puss Moth (Cerura vinula)
Chesterfield
When viewed front-on, it is easy to see how this very furry moth got its common name. It is a beautifuly-marked , fairly large species and is common in damp gardens, hedgerows and other habitats where its foodplants grow. Like other members of the family, various willows and poplars are hosts for the larvae.
Sallow Kitten (Furcula furcula)
Chesterfield
This species and its close cousin, the Poplar Kitten (F.bifida) are very similar in appearance and both occur in Derbyshire, although the latter species is much less common.
The Sallow Kitten can be identified by its fainter black lines on the trailing edge of the grey central cross-band, which is also less obviously rounded.
The Sallow Kitten can be identified by its fainter black lines on the trailing edge of the grey central cross-band, which is also less obviously rounded.
Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac)
© Steve Furness
Calver
This common species is described in the Moths of other parts of Dorset section of the site.
Lesser Swallow Prominent (
link)
Swallow Prominent (
Coxcomb Prominent (Ptilodon capucina)
Calver © Steve Furness
This common species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina)
Chesterfield
This common species is described in the Moths of Wicken Fen NNR section of the site.
Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala)
Chesterfield
One of the most magnificently-camouflaged British moths, the Buff-tip is a perfect imitation of a broken birch twig. It is a common species throughout Britain, inhabiting woodland and gardens with established trees such a birch and alder.
Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda)
Chesterfield
This very furry moth is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Muslin Footman (Nudaria mundana)
Calver © Steve Furness
This delicate species is described in the Moths of Dry Sandford Pit NR section of the site.
Common Footman (Eilema lurideola)
Calver © Steve Furness
This widespread, little moth is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Garden Tiger (Arctia caja)
Calver © Steve Furness
caterpillar, Coombs Dale SSSI
Surely one of the most beautiful and spectacular of British moths, the Garden Tiger remains widespread in Britain, but is most common in wilder habitats where plenty of foodplants remain.
The distinctive, brown 'woolly bear' caterpillars can sometimes be seen crawling about on sunny days.
The distinctive, brown 'woolly bear' caterpillars can sometimes be seen crawling about on sunny days.
White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda)
Chesterfield
This moth is both beautiful and widespread. The pure white background and delicate black spotting makes it easy to identify - the only similarly-spotted moth is the Muslin Moth (see below), but that is shorter and more squat (and only the females are white).
Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum)
Chesterfield
Perhaps more common (in my experience, at least) than the White Ermine, this beige moth has black streaks rather than spots. Like its cousin, the larvae feed on nettles and a range of other common wild plants.
Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)
Calver © Steve Furness
The Muslin Moth is described in the Moths of other parts of Dorset section of the site.
Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa ssp.fuliginosa)
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of other parts of Dorset section of the site.
Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)
Chesterfield
Ragwort can be quite an invasive weed in the garden, but there is a very good reason I always keep it - this moth is a guaranteed resident when you grow Ragwort! The stripy black and orange caterpillars feed voraciously on it, and in mid-summer, the adults will fly around the garden. They are not strong flyers, and are more often disturbed from undergrowth than actually seen choosing to fly in the sunshine. They also fly at night.
No other species resembles the Cinnabar, which is one of my favourite British moths.
No other species resembles the Cinnabar, which is one of my favourite British moths.
Short-cloaked Moth (Nola cucullatella)
Calver © Steve Furness
The most widespread and common of Britain's Nolidae moths, the Short-cloaked Moth is named for it distinctive cloak-shaped marking at the base of the forewings.
Its larvae feed on hawthorn and related species, with adults flying around midsummer.
Its larvae feed on hawthorn and related species, with adults flying around midsummer.