Moths of the month: August 2009
This is a monthly series illustrating several characteristic moths
to look out for in our area. Text and photos by Roy Leverton.
You can also view the other months by selecting the links at the bottom of this page.
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July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata
Late July to late September, even into October.
Woodland, carr, moorland.
July Highflyer is misnamed in Scotland, where its main flight time is later. This is an abundant and infinitely variable species with two ecological races. One feeds on sallow and the moths are generally some shade of green, whereas moths of the bilberry race (illustrated) are often reddish. Though nocturnal, they are very easily disturbed by day.
Click on the image to enlarge it. |
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Autumnal Rustic Eugnorisma glareosa
Mid August into September.
Moorland, grassland and other open habitats.
Scottish summers are short: by August the first signs of autumn are already appearing. Autumnal Rustic, as its name suggests, marks the changing of the seasons. Its pale wings show up well in torchlight as it feeds at heather blossom.
Click on the image to enlarge it. |
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Blue-bordered Carpet Plemyria rubiginata
August into September.
Woodland edge, carr and scrub.
In Scotland this pretty little moth is mainly associated with alder. It rests openly on foliage by day, perhaps mimicking a bird-dropping. Males are on the wing in early evening, long before sunset. They may be seen flying actively along the sheltered edge of alder clumps, often at canopy level.
Click on the image to enlarge it. |
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The Sallow Xanthia icteritia
August and September.
Wooldland, scrub and carr.
Like most autumn moths, the Sallow emerges about a month earlier in our area than it does further south. Its name reflects both the moth's colour (a match for yellowing leaves) and its foodplant. The overwintering eggs are laid on buds that will produce catkins in the spring, nutritious food for the young caterpillar.
Click on the image to enlarge it. |
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Haworth's Minor Celaena haworthii
August and September.
Boggy moorland, mires and marshes.
This stocky little noctuid is largely a northern species in Britain. It is one of the characteristic moths of habitats with cottongrass and other sedges, the larval foodplants. The adults are partly diurnal and may be seen flying rapidly over moorland on warm afternoons or nectaring on ragwort and heather flowers.
Click on the image to enlarge it |
View other months
January - February
March
April
October
November - December
2008: May | June | July | August | September
2009: May | June | July | August | September
2010: May | June | July | August | September
2011: May | June | July | August | September
2012: May | June | July | August | September
2013: May | June | July | August | September
2014: May | June | July | August | September
2015: May | June | July | August | September
2016: May | June | July | August | September
2017: May | June | July | August | September
2018: May | June
