Hainault Forest Website

Moths

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 Longhorn moth  Adela reaumurella Metallic males swarm on still days around emerging oaks.

 Longhorn moth  Nemotois degéerella. Males swarm on still days around shrubs.

 Pigmy moth.

Stigmella aurella. Larva forms mines in blackberry leaves

Silver Y moth  Autographa gamma feeding on blackberry. An immigrant day flying moth. Common in 2003.

Mottled umber moth caterpillar, 

Erannis defoliaria on lime. 30mm.

 Photo: 17 May 2005

Mottled umber moth - male,

Erannis defoliaria. Flies October-December. The female is wingless, resting on tree bark where the eggs are laid.

Six-spot  BURNET MOTH Zygaena filipendulae Caterpillar 2cm (left) on rush stem where it pupates (centre) The Moth emerges in June (right).

 Large emerald moth. Geometra papilionaria. Found flying in the heathland.

  Red underwing moth Catocala nupta at rest. When disturbed flashes the red underwings. Flies August & September.

  Brown Silver-line moth

Petrophora  chlorosata.  Disturbed from vegetation, it normally flies at dusk. 

Photo: © Iris Newbery 20th May 2005

 

Oak Tortrix moth. Tortrix viridana

Moth flies around oaks in early June.

Angle shades moth. Phlogophora meticulosa resting on nettle leaf. 29th April 2007.  

 Yellow Tail moth caterpillar Euproctis similis on sallow. 25mm.

Vapourer moth. Orgyia antiqua. The female is wingless and lives in a cocoon. The eggs are laid on the outside, where they overwinter. Photo: 20th August 2005 (left).  The caterpillar (centre) was photographed on 31st August 2005.

 Common Quaker moth caterpillar  Orthosia stabilis  on oak or sallow Fully grown in June. Pupates in soil. 35mm.

 Figure of eight moth caterpillar

Diloba caeruleocephala  on blackthorn. 3cm. Photo: 17 May 2005

 Shoulder stripe moth caterpillar Anticlea badiata feeding on Dog rose. 25mm.

Photo: 22 May 2005

Pale tussock moth Calliteara pudibunda caterpillar 40mm. Yellow tufts on segments

4-7 with black bands in between. Red tail tuft.

Photo: 2nd October 2005.

The Sycamore caterpillar Acronicta aceris on oak leaf. 40mm.

Photo: August 2001 

 Knotgrass caterpillar Acronicta rumicis on Ash leaf. 35mm. Photo: 30 June 2005.

Poplar grey moth. Acronicta megacephala. Caterpillar feeding on Black poplar. There is a white blotch on the 10th segment. 30mm.

Photo: 20th August 2005.

The Lackey moth. Malacosoma neustria. Caterpillar feeding on Blackthorn or Sloe on the Common Lambourne End.  50mm. 

Photo: 29th May 2006.

Bagworm. Family Psychidae. Larval or pupal case of a small moth on Black poplar leaf. The male is day flying, the female is wingless and often remains in the case depending on the species. Ht. 7mm. 

Buff tip caterpillars Phalera becephala will strip an oak branch in May.

Photo: ©  Vic George.

The Drinker moth Euthrix potatoria Caterpillar 25mm. on sheep wire Sept. 28th 2005 (centre). Feeds at night. Hibernates in grass tussocks. Awakes mid-April, resumes feeding (right) 60mm.