Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae ssp.stephensii)
Ballard Down, Swanage
emerging from pupa, Martin Down NNR (this and previous three photos)
Powerstock Common NR
This lovely species is always a welcome sight in high summer, when their busy flight and striking colours bring a flowery meadow alive.
This is Britain's most widespread Zygaenid, and the only one in most of Scotland (although the Scots are very lucky to have some super rarities in the family!).
As the common name suggests, the six red spots on the forewings are diagnostic for this moth. Despite its scientific name, its larvae have no association with Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort), although it is a common plant in many of its southern downloand haunts.
This is Britain's most widespread Zygaenid, and the only one in most of Scotland (although the Scots are very lucky to have some super rarities in the family!).
As the common name suggests, the six red spots on the forewings are diagnostic for this moth. Despite its scientific name, its larvae have no association with Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort), although it is a common plant in many of its southern downloand haunts.
Lackey (Malacosoma neustria)
male, Portland Bird Observatory
caterpillar, Martin Down NNR, Dorset
Mainly a moth of southern England and Wales, the Lackey is a small, but robust moth of scrub and broadleaved woodland. It can be recognised by the slightly wavy dark middle band and chequered fringes to trailing edge of the wings. The similar Ground Lackey has a more kinked cross-band and has only one record from Dorset, as of 2020.
The sight of Lackey caterpillars busily wandering acorss the ground in chalk downland is not uncommon in Dorset, and their odd head markings, resembling a cartoon-like face on a blue background, combined with a stripy orange body, make them easy to recognise.
The sight of Lackey caterpillars busily wandering acorss the ground in chalk downland is not uncommon in Dorset, and their odd head markings, resembling a cartoon-like face on a blue background, combined with a stripy orange body, make them easy to recognise.
Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa querca)
female, Portland Bird Observatory
The Oak Eggar is large moth with two quite distinctive habitats in Britain - in the south, it is a species of heathland and downland, while further north it is found in upland moorland.
The Oak Eggar can be recognised by the bright spot on the largely two-toned forewing. Males are much darker than females.
The Oak Eggar can be recognised by the bright spot on the largely two-toned forewing. Males are much darker than females.
Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi)
caterpillar, Martin Down NNR
Grass Emerald (Pseudoterpna pruinata)
Arne RSPB Reserve
desc
Small Blood-vein (Scopula imitaria)
Arne RSPB Reserve
This very distinctive moth of southern Britain is instantly recognisable by its dark, wavy cross-lines on a yellow-orange background. When at rest, the dark lines on the forewings and hindwings match up precisely - I find this amazing!
Although I trapped this moth at Arne, it is not a heathland specialist at all, and can be seen as a garden species in its range.
Although I trapped this moth at Arne, it is not a heathland specialist at all, and can be seen as a garden species in its range.
Mullein Wave (Scopula marginepunctata)
Portland Bird Observatory
Dotted Border Wave (Idaea sylvestraria)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Although utterly unspectacular in appearance, this is rare moth, classified as Nationally Scarce in Britain. It is a heathland specialist, with its strongholds in southern England.
The pattern of dots in the middle of the wings and along the trailing edge is distinctive for this species, as is the sandy colour of the background.
The pattern of dots in the middle of the wings and along the trailing edge is distinctive for this species, as is the sandy colour of the background.
Chalk Carpet (Scotopteryx bipunctata ssp.cretata)
Fontmell Down NR
This rare species is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
Purple Bar (Cosmorhoe ocellata)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Named for its distinguishing feature, this common 'carpet' species is easy to identify. It is widespread in Britain and occupies a variety of rural habitats, from heathland and sand-dunes to woodland and hedgerows. The larvae feed on Galium spp (bedstraws).
Chevron (Eulithis testata)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Although widespread and locally common in Britain, the Chevron is rather habitat-specific. In Dorset, it is largely restricted to the coast, where it occurs in heathland. Elsewhere in Britain, it is a species of moorland and upland grassland, where it feeds of willows and various other species.
The wing markings of this species are very distinctive, similar only to the Northern Spinach, which is extremely rare in Dorset. The strongly V-shaped cross band and wiggly white line at the wing-tip are enough to distinguish the Chevron, which also has a subtle white 'frosted' appearance on the wings.
The wing markings of this species are very distinctive, similar only to the Northern Spinach, which is extremely rare in Dorset. The strongly V-shaped cross band and wiggly white line at the wing-tip are enough to distinguish the Chevron, which also has a subtle white 'frosted' appearance on the wings.
Pine Carpet (Thera firmata)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Most common in southern England, this species is well-distributed in southern Dorset as well. As its name suggests, it feeds on pines and can be found in planatations of these, as well as naturalised trees on the Dorset heathlands.
Although lacking in particularly bold markings, it is an easy carpet to identify - the inside (leading) edge of the brown cross-band is sharply indented. The ground-colour of the wings is variable, from the sandy-orange shown here to more reddish or brownish individuals.
Although lacking in particularly bold markings, it is an easy carpet to identify - the inside (leading) edge of the brown cross-band is sharply indented. The ground-colour of the wings is variable, from the sandy-orange shown here to more reddish or brownish individuals.
Narrow-winged Pug (Eupithecia nanata)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Horse Chestnut (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)
Arne RSPB Reserve
This small, unusual-looking geometrid is classified as Nationally Scarce, and is almost entirely restricted to southern England, south of a line between Bristol and London.
Despite its name, it feeds on heather and is a species of lowland heaths, where it is still widespread and fairly common.
The individual shown here is very worn, but the diagnostic angled cross-lines on the wings can just about be seen. The individual shown also has its wings less overlapping than usual, giving it a wider profile than is commonly seen.
Despite its name, it feeds on heather and is a species of lowland heaths, where it is still widespread and fairly common.
The individual shown here is very worn, but the diagnostic angled cross-lines on the wings can just about be seen. The individual shown also has its wings less overlapping than usual, giving it a wider profile than is commonly seen.
Lilac Beauty (Apeira syringaria)
Arne RSPB Reserve
This sad-looking, dead individual was in my moth trap at Arne morning, having been partially devoured by a spider in the night (the wound is visible on the worn part of the thorax at the top of the moth).
The Lilac Beauty is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
The Lilac Beauty is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
Scalloped Hazel (Odontoptera bidentata)
Portland Bird Observatory
This large, pale brown moth is common over most of Britain, favouring scrubby and wooded habitats. It is an easy moth to identify, with its very triangular shape, jagged trailing edges to the wings and black ring-mark near the leading edge of the wings.
Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)
Arne RSPB Reserve
This widespread moth is described in the Moths of Scotland section of the site.
Yellow Belle
Eyed Hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellata)
Durlston Country Park, Swanage
Portland Bird Observatory
This stunning, unmistakable moth is always a joy to see. It is well-distributed in Dorset, and across England and Wales, where it occurs in woodland and other places where its foodplants (Salix sp) grow.
Small Elephant Hawkmoth
Portland Bird Observatory
link to derbs
Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac)
Portland Bird Observatory
desc
Lesser Swallow Prominent (Pheosia gnoma)
Arne RSPB Reserve
This common moth is widespread throughout most of Britain, with a similar distribution to its close cousin, the Swallow Prominent (P.tremula).
The two can be distinguished on size, as P.gnoma is usually slightly smaller, but the best feature is the the extent of the white markings on the forewings. The Lesser Swallow Prominent has a short, bold white wedge at the trailing edge of the wing, next to the body. Also, the pale, sweeping curve near the leading edge is less extensive than in the Swallow Prominent.
The two can be distinguished on size, as P.gnoma is usually slightly smaller, but the best feature is the the extent of the white markings on the forewings. The Lesser Swallow Prominent has a short, bold white wedge at the trailing edge of the wing, next to the body. Also, the pale, sweeping curve near the leading edge is less extensive than in the Swallow Prominent.
Brown Tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Much less common nationally than the Yellow-tail, this very attractive moth is instantly-recognisable. When disturbed, it displays its brown 'tail', which is covered in easily-detached, irritating hairs that deter many predators.
In Britain, this species is largely confined to south-east quarter of the country, roughly in a line from the Wash to the Severn Estuary. It is fairly well-distributed in southern Dorset, where it inhabitats coastal, scrubby habitats.
In Britain, this species is largely confined to south-east quarter of the country, roughly in a line from the Wash to the Severn Estuary. It is fairly well-distributed in southern Dorset, where it inhabitats coastal, scrubby habitats.
Scarce Footman (Eilema complana)
Arne RSPB Reserve
The tightly-folded wings and broad beige stripe along the leading edge of the wings identify this species, which is described in more detail with the Common Footman in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Garden Tiger (Arctia caja)
Portland Bird Observatory
The Garden Tiger is described in the Moths of Scotland section of the site.
Cream-spot Tiger (Arctia villica ssp.britannica)
Portland Bird Observatory
Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica)
Portland Bird Observatory
Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa ssp.fuliginosa)
Arne RSPB Reserve
desc
Kent Black Arches (Meganola albula)
Portland Bird Observatory
Dorset is a stronghold for this rare species. I've described it in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Light Feathered Rustic (Agrotis cinerea)
Durlston Country Park
This Nationally Scarce species has its stronghold in southern Dorset and Hampshire. It looks like many other rather drab noctuids, but lacks the dart mark that accompanies the usual oval and kidney marks on the forewings of Agrotis species. In A.cinerea, the oval is virtually absent and the kidney mark is much smaller than other species.
This moth is a species of calcareous, grassy habitats and occurs at scattered sites as far north as the White Peak in Derbyshire and Anglesey.
This moth is a species of calcareous, grassy habitats and occurs at scattered sites as far north as the White Peak in Derbyshire and Anglesey.
Flame (
Portland
This species is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)
Arne RSPB Reserve
desc
True Lover's Knot (Lycophotia porphyrea)
Arne RSPB Reserve
desc
Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina)
Arne RSPB Reserve
desc
Beautiful Yellow Underwing (Anarta myrtilli)
Arne RSPB Reserve
desc
Tawny Shears
Shears
check id
Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)
Arne RSPB Reserve
Portland
desc check first id
Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura)
Arne RSPB Reserve
This common species is described in the Moths of Wicken Fen NNR section of the site.
White Point
Brown-line Bright-eye (Mythimna
Portland
This species is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
Delicate
Portland
Mullein
Martin Down NNR, Dorset
Beautiful Gothic
Angle Shades
This common, unusual moth is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
Treble Lines
link to dry sandf
Dusky Sallow
desc
Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga)
Arne RSPB Reserve
One of only three resident British members of the Eustrotiinae, the Marbled White Spot is southern species of grassy heathland, moorland and grassland, where its larvae feed on various grasses.
Although the name suggests a spot, when at rest, the white patch on each forewing joins with the other to form a curved band.
Although the name suggests a spot, when at rest, the white patch on each forewing joins with the other to form a curved band.
Burnet Companion (Euclidia glyphica)
Powerstock Common NR, Dorset
This familiar Dorset moth is described in the Moths from other places in England section of the site.
Small Purple-barred (Phytometra viridaria)
Martin Down NNR
Snout (
This common species is described in the Moths of Derbyshire section of the site.
Coxcomb Prominent
check for spectacle
Catoptria pinella
Arne RSPB Reserve
The two large white blotches on the forewings make this an easy Crambid moth to identify. It is a common species across much of Britain, favouring open, grassy habitats, such as the heathland at Arne, where this individual was found.
Synaphe punctalis
Arne RSPB Reserve
This rather drab Pyralid moth is a speciality of southern England, where it occurs in a variety of habitats, from coastal shingle and dune-slacks, to heathland and chalk downland.
It can be recognised by its orange-brown and yellowish colours, with diagonal bands.
It can be recognised by its orange-brown and yellowish colours, with diagonal bands.
Udea ferrugalis (Rusty-dot Pearl)
Portland Bird Observatory
Named for its characteristic purplish wing markings, this widespread Crambid moth is primarily an immigrant species from continental Europe. This makes it a common sight along the south coast of England in particular.
Nemophora degeerella
Powerstock Common NR, Dorset