GALLERY
Group: MOTHS
Yellow horned (Achlya flavicornis)
Where and when encountered: Speybridge on 1 April 2023
About: Yellow horned moths can be found in various parts of Great Britain. Adults are on the wing in late winter and early spring, and they are typically encountered in the vicinity of birch, the food-plant of the larvae.
Editor's note: The moths take their name from their yellow-coloured antennae, although these are not visible in the photograph.
Dark-marked tortrix (Acleris laterana)
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 25 August 2024
About: Dark-marked tortrix moths may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain, although they are somewhat less common to the north. The larvae feed on a wide range of plants.
Editor's note: I am reasonably confident of the species identification of the moth photographed, although reliable separation from a similar species is said to require dissection.
Grey dagger (Acronicta psi)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 13 August 2023
About: Grey dagger caterpillars feed on a range of broadleaved trees including apple, birch, blackthorn, hawthorn, lime, and rowan. They can be encountered in most parts of Great Britain.
Knot grass (Acronicta rumicis)
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 29 August 2024
About: Knot grass moths can be found up and down Great Britain, although less commonly in Scotland than elsewhere. The larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous plants.
Beautiful yellow underwing (Anarta myrtilli)
Where and when encountered: Foal's Well on 1 September 2022
About: Beautiful yellow underwings are associated with moorland on acid soils. They have a scattered distribution over most of Great Britain, and the caterpillars feed mainly on common heather (as in the photograph).
Common nettle-tap (Anthophila fabriciana)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 June 2021
About: Common nettle-tap moths, whose name references the main larval food-plant, occur in all parts of Great Britain and across Europe and Asia into China. They can be seen in flight during the day from the end of spring until late autumn.
Orange underwing (Archiearis parthenias)
Where and when encountered: Boat of Garten on 17 April 2023
About: Orange underwing moths can be found across much of Great Britain. The adults are typically seen on bright still days in early spring under the leafless canopy of mature birches.
Garden tiger (Arctia caja)
Where and when encountered: Speybridge on 5 May 2024
About: Garden tiger moths can be found in most corners of Great Britain, although they are thought to be declining at present. The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants.
Red-necked footman (Atolmis rubricollis)
Where and when encountered: Blair Athol on 9 June 2024
About: Red-necked footman moths can be encountered in most parts of Great Britain, although their distribution becomes patchy to the north of this region. Their larvae feed on algae and lichens on tree trunks.
Silver Y (Autographa gamma)
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 11 August 2024
About: Silver Y moths are commonly encountered immigrants across Great Britain. The larvae feed on a broad range of low herbage.
Peppered moth (Biston betularia)
Where and when encountered: Uath Lochans on 4 September 2023
About: Peppered moths are perhaps best know for their exhibiting of 'industrial melanism', where all-black individuals, with a closer match to dark backgrounds, have become the typical form in heavily polluted regions. These moths can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Editor's note: It is believed that caterpillars can sense a twig's colour and match their body pigment accordingly.
Bordered white (Bupalus piniaria)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 18 June 2022
About: Bordered white moths can be found in most corners of Great Britain and their larvae feed on conifers, including the native Scots pine.
Editor's note: Males, like the individual photographed, possess feathered antennae.
Date range for adult records: 18 to 22 June
Light emerald (Campaea margaritaria)
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 23 June 2024
About: Light emerald moths can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain. Their larvae feed on various deciduous trees.
Purple bar (Cosmorhoe ocellata)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 22 June 2021
About: Purple bar moths are widely distributed across Great Britain and their larvae feed on various bedstraws.
Meadow grass-moth (Crambus lathoniellus)
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 1 June 2025
About: Meadow grass-moths may be encountered in grassy habitat throughout Great Britain, with the larvae feeding on the stems of various grasses.
Burnished brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 1 August 2024
About: Burnished brass moths can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain. Preferred habitats include marshy areas and gardens, and nettle is one of the favoured food-plants for larvae.
Date range for adult records: 1 to 22 August
Dark tussock (Dicallomera fascelina)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 16 May 2025
About: -
Pebble hook-tip (Drepana falcataria)
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 4 June 2024
About: Pebble hook-tip moths can be encountered in most parts of Great Britain, although they become rarer further north. Their larvae typically feed on birch but may also exploit alder.
The engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia)
Where and when encountered: Glenfeshie on 28 April 2023
About: The engrailed moth can be found in woodlands, in gardens with shrubs and trees, and in other bushy habitats. The species is commoner in England and Wales than elsewhere in Great Britain, and is double-brooded to the south and single-brooded to the north.
♀ Common heath (Ematurga atomaria)
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 31 May 2021
About: Common heath moths fly during the day and can be found in various parts of Great Britain. Heathland and moorland are their principal habitats, where various heather species provide sustenance for the caterpillars. However, they may also be encountered in meadows and along woodland rides, with clovers, trefoils, and vetches serving as additional host-plants.
Editor's note: The antennae of the female (pictured) are simple in structure, while those of the male are feathery – an adaptation to help detect pheromones.
Date range for adult records: 10 May to 17 June
♂ Common heath (Ematurga atomaria)
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 17 June 2021
About: Common heath moths fly during the day and can be found in various parts of Great Britain. Heathland and moorland are their principal habitats, where various heather species provide sustenance for the caterpillars. However, they may also be encountered in meadows and along woodland rides, with clovers, trefoils, and vetches serving as additional host-plants.
Editor's note: The antennae of the female are simple in structure, while those of the male (pictured) are feathery – an adaptation to help detect pheromones.
Date range for adult records: 10 May to 17 June
Scalloped hook-tip (Falcaria lacertinaria)
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 23 June 2024
About: Scalloped hook-tip moths can be found in most corners of Great Britain. Their larvae feed on birches.
Date range for adult records: 2 to 23 June
Cocksfoot moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 2 June 2025
About: Cocksfoot moths may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain. The principal larval food-plant is the grass cock's-foot, with the seeds providing nutrition and the stems a pupation site.
Narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth (Hemaris tityus)
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 19 May 2025
About: The narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth, in Great Britain, is a species principally of the Scottish Highlands. Adults fly in the day and favour flower-rich habitat. Their larvae feed on devil's-bit scabious and field scabious.
Date range for adult records: 13 to 19 May
May highflyer (Hydriomena impluviata)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 9 May 2025
About: May highflyers may be encountered near alders, the larval food-plant. They are not especially common but live in most corners of Great Britain.
The saxon (Hyppa rectilinea)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 13 June 2025
About: The saxon can be found in various corners of Scotland and the far north of England. The larvae feed on a range of plants that includes willows, bramble, and bearberry.
Date range for adult records: 13 to 21 June
Water carpet (Lampropteryx suffumata)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 9 May 2025
About: Water carpets may be encountered in woodland, grassland, and scrubland, with the larvae feeding on bedstraws. They live in most corners of Great Britain.
Poplar hawk-moth (Laothoe populi)
Where and when encountered: Free Church Wood on 10 August 2023
About: Poplar hawk-moths can be found throughout Great Britain. Caterpillars feed on trees in the genera Populus and Salix, and the adult moths have a wingspan of up to ten centimetres.
Oak eggar (Lasiocampa quercus)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 29 June 2022
About: These moths are not named for feeding on oak per se but instead because of the acorn-like shape of their cocoon. The main food-plants are heather and blaeberry; bramble, willow, broom, and hazel are among the other plants fed on. They can be found up and down Great Britain, but at more northern latitudes development takes two years instead of one.
Clouded border (Lomaspilis marginata)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 13 June 2025
About: Clouded border moths are insects of damp woodland and other moist places. They are widespread in Great Britain, and their larvae feed on willows, aspens, and other poplars.
Peacock moth (Macaria notata)
Where and when encountered: Craigmore Wood on 15 June 2024
About: Peacock moths live in wooded habitat, where they are widespread in southern Britain but have a more scattered distribution in Scotland. The larvae feed mainly on birches.
Fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi)
Where and when encountered: Cairn Gorm lower slopes on 17 June 2022
About: Fox moths can be found in most parts of Great Britain, with their preferred habitats including moorland, heathland, downland, and open woodland. Heaths and blaeberry are among the larval food-plants.
Editor's note: Males, like the individual photographed, have striking feathered antennae.
Twin-spot carpet (Mesotype didymata)
Where and when encountered: Castle Grant on 29 July 2024
About: Twin-spot carpet moths can be encountered across Great Britain. Larval food-plants include blaeberry, willows, and heather.
Yellow-barred gold (Micropterix aureatella)
Where and when encountered: Dulnain Bridge on 17 May 2024
About: Moths of the species Micropterix aureatella feed on pollen as adults. They are more commonly encountered to the west and north of Great Britain.
Date range for adult records: 17 May to 7 June
Small long-horn (Nemophora minimella)
Where and when encountered: Carrbridge on 8 July 2022
About: Records of small long-horns suggest a patchy distribution for the species in Great Britain, although this probably reflects, in part, under-recording. The larvae feed on devil's-bit scabious and small scabious.
Editor's note: I am reasonably confident of the species identification of the moth photographed.
Lesser yellow underwing (Noctua comes)
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 12 May 2024
About: Lesser yellow underwing moths can be encountered in almost all parts of Great Britain. Their larvae feed on a broad range of plants.
Black cloak (Notocelia cynosbatella)
Where and when encountered: Aviemore on 23 May 2025
About: Moths of the species Notocelia cynosbatella have a preference for wild and cultivated roses as a larval food-plant. They are more commonly encountered in the southern half than the northern half of Great Britain. Adults resemble bird droppings.
Chimney sweeper (Odezia atrata)
Where and when encountered: Craigroy near Speybridge on 18 June 2021
About: Chimney sweepers are restricted to a relatively small number of localities in the south and east of England but are otherwise broadly distributed across Great Britain. These day-flying moths are typically encountered in damp grassy places, such as near streams.
Editor's note: Their vernacular name needs no explanation, but they might have easily been called 'pignut moths', instead, in recognition of the larval food-plant (shown in the photograph).
Date range for adult records: 12 to 18 June
Vapourer (Orgyia antiqua)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 3 August 2024
About: Vapourer moths can be found across much of Great Britain. The larvae feed on a range of woody plants.
Common quaker (Orthosia cerasi)
Where and when encountered: Glenmore Forest Park on 24 June 2024
About: Common quaker moths can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain. Their larvae feed on various deciduous trees.
Editor's note: The caterpillar was being fed on by a bronze shieldbug.
Orange-spot piercer (Pammene aurana)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 25 July 2024
About: Orange-spot piercers can be found from the far south to the far north of Great Britain, although they have a rather patchy distribution. They feed on hogweed.
Date range for adult records: 2 June to 25 July
Brown silver-line (Petrophora chlorosata)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 9 May 2025
About: Brown silver-line moths may be encountered in woodland and in non-wooded upland areas where bracken, the larval, food-plant is growing.
Lesser swallow prominent (Pheosia gnoma)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 29 July 2024
About: Lesser swallow prominents can be encountered across Great Britain. The larval food-plant is birch.
Ruby tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 24 April 2025
About: Ruby tigers are widespread in Great Britain, and their larvae feed on a broad range of plants, including broom, docks, and heather.
Gold swift (Phymatopus hecta)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 8 June 2025
About: Gold swifts can be found throughout much of Great Britain, although they are commoner in England and Wales than in Scotland. Bracken is a key food-plant for the larvae of this moth species.
Date range for adult records: 3 June to 7 July
Emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 7 July 2022
About: Emperor moths can be found through Great Britain. Larval food-plants include birches, willows, and heather (as in the photograph).
Editor's note: Outside of Great Britain, the English vernacular name for this species is the small emperor moth, on account of the wingspan reaching a 'mere' six centimetres. Another member of the genus, the giant peacock moth, can reach twenty centimetres.
Smoky wave (Scopula ternata)
Where and when encountered: Tulloch on 8 June 2025
About: Smoky wave moths use blaeberry and heather for larval food-plants, and they are found much more commonly in the uplands than elsewhere in Great Britain.
Silver-ground carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)
Where and when encountered: Craigmore Wood on 15 June 2024
About: Silver-ground carpet moths can be encountered in almost all corners of Great Britain. The larvae feed on low herbage, including bedstraws.
Date range for adult records: 15 to 23 June
Golden-rod brindle (Xylena solidaginis)
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 29 August 2024
About: Golden-rod brindles are moths of moorland and open woodland habitat with a predominantly upland distribution in Great Britain. Larval food-plants include heather, blaeberry, bearberry, bog myrtle, willows, and birches.
Selected galleries
[ARCTIC ALPINE PLANTS] [BUTTERFLIES] [DRAGONFLIES] [FORBS] [FUNGI] [GALLS] [HYMENOPTERANS] [LONGHORN BEETLES] [MOTHS] [SELECTIONS BY EDITOR] [SHIELDBUGS] [TRUE BUGS] [TRUE FLIES] [UNCOMMON PINEWOOD HERBS] [WOODY PLANTS]