Moths
Moths in the garden
Autographa gamma or Silver-Y moth
Pyrausta aurata
The 2 moths above are regular day-time visitors to my garden in significant numbers. The Pyrausta aurata likes Marjoram and Helichrysum; the Autographa gamma likes Buddleia and Red Valerian.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
In 2003 and 2005, my garden had numerous visits from Hummingbird Hawk-moths (Macroglossum stellatarum). They particularly like Verbena bonariensis. Their long feeding tube means that they hover well above the flower.
They are extremely difficult to photograph as they move very fast. This photo was taken at Upton House in October 2005.
The Hummingbird Hawk-moth and the Silver-Y moth are immigrants from Europe and so the numbers can vary considerably each year.
I have also seen Angle Shades, Lime Hawkmoth, Swallowtail, Brimstone, Magpie, Buff Tip, Cinnabar, Buff Ermine and White Ermine Moths on my patch.
Moths in the Countryside
Cinnabar and Burnet Moths are day-flying, brightly-coloured (black and red) moths that are frequently seen in the countryside.
Zygaena filipendulae or Six-Spot Burnet moth
Tyria jacobaeae or Cinnabar moth
Cinnabar moth caterpillar on Ragwort
Zygaena trifolii or Five-Spot Burnet moth