Copper Underwing vel'y mobile. Lar'vae feed on various her'bs. :\1I1/1/.'I/nTd /l\Tdlllimoth, with a and common thr-oughout. wingspan of 47-54mm. For'ewings deep Season Most common 5-9, but may be br-own, mar'bled paler' and with a whrte seen at almost any time. spot; the under'wings ar'e or'angey-br-own Similar species and ver'y noticeable. Small Angle Shades Ellplexio luciPoro Habitat Woodland and other' habil<1ts r'esembles the above, but is smaller' and less with tr'ees. colourful. Widespr'ead but less common. Status and distribution Mainly south• ern in the UK, mor'e widespr'ead on the Darl< Arches Continent. ;\/J..{}}I.1C,1 J}}(J!J().l!,lyjJ/.,,, Season 6-8. A medium-sized moth; wingspan 45• Similar species 55mm. A typical Noctuid, looking r'ather' Svensson's Copper Underwing A. like many other's. Br-own for'ewings mar• berbero is extremely similar', except on the bled light and dar'k, with zigzag markings underside of the hindwing which is paler' towar'ds the edge; ver'y variable in colour' and lacking a chequered mar'gin. Similar' (an example of industl'ial melani,m, like habitats and distr'ibution. Pepper'ed Moth - see p 168). Hindwings usually very pale, edged darker', bu': may be Old Lady all dark. A1()n][() nhlllrd Habitat Almost everywher'e. Lar'vae feed A large moth; wingspan 70-75mm. The on various grasses. forewings are dar'k br-own, with a mar'bled Status and distribution Widespread patter'n over' the top half that fancifully and common throughout. resembles a shawl over' an old lady's shoul• Season 6-10. dersr Similar species Habitat Open woodland, commons, gar'• The Exile A. moil/ordii is similar in size, dens; often seen in porches, occasionally in shape and markings, but the markings are caves. Larvae feed on var'ious her'bs and mor-e clear'ly defined and brighter'. A north• shrubs. ern species, on moorland. Status and distribution Widespread and frequent in the UK, except in N Scot• Dusky Sallow land; widespr'ead on the Continent. (Fen/( J!Jid ()c/Jn)/clf(d Season 6-8. A medium-sized moth; wingspan abOUT 35mm. For'ewings marbled brown on Angle Shades white, hindwings off-white with a broad

PhhJg()jJ!J()rd Illcliofh)Sd brown edge. A medium-sized moth; wingspan 48• Habitat Open, grassy, flowery places, 53mm. The forewings are attractively such as dunes and downland. Larvae feed mar'ked, rather val'iable in ground colour, on various gr'asses. marbled pink, green and brown, with dis• Status and distribution Only in SE tinctive large triangles on each wing, their Britain; more widespread on the Conti• apices just meeting in the middle. nent. Habitat To be found almost anywhere, Season 7-8.

190 LEPrDOPTERA Bulrush Wainscot Similar species NOllagria typhae Scarce Burnished Brass D. chryson has a Wingspan 45-55mm. Forewings pale single yellow patch, (not 2 stripes), and is brown, streaked with white and dotted otherwise brown. Occurs in damp places, black; hindwings pale. feeding on Hemp Agrimony. Habitat The larvae feed on Bulrush Slender Burnished Brass D. orichafcea is (Reed mace), which is found wherever they slightly smaller and has a single angled yel• occur. low stripe. Widespread in S Europe, a rare Status and distribution Widespread visitor to the north including Britain. throughout, though rarer in the north. Season 7-10. Golden Plusia l'o/ychrisia mOlleta Green Silver-lines Wingspan 40--45mm. An attractive moth, l'selldoi/Js (agalla with beautifu Ily mottled and banded fore• An attractive and distinctive moth; wing• wings, and a tuft of hairs on the thorax. span 35--40mm. Forewings bright green, Habitat Particularly associated with gar• with 3 diagonal silvery lines; hindwings off• dens, as the larvae feed on Delphiniums, white. and the adults like Buddleia and other gar• Habitat Woods and hedgerows with den nectar sources. trees. Larvae feed on oak and Beech. Status and distribution Has spread Status and distribution Common in within the UK this century, and now occurs southern UK, rarer further north. Wide• throughout, though rare in the north; wide• spread on the Continent. spread on the Continent. Season 5-8. Season 6-9. Similar species Scarce Silver-lines Bena prasinana is Silver Y slightly larger, and has only 2 silvery diago• Alltographa gamma nallines. Widespread but local, absent from Wingspan 35-50mm. Variable in colour Scotland. from grey to purplish-black, marbled with Cream-bordered Green Pea Earias elo• other colours, but nearly always with a rana is a smaller version of these two, lack• white 'Y' in the centre of the forewing. ing the diagonal lines but with a white front Feeds at flowers, moving rapidly and con• margin to the forewing. Local, associated tinuing to beat its wings while feeding. with willows in damp areas. Habitat Anywhere with flowers. An extremely mobile species. Burnished Brass Status and distribution An immigrant Diachrisia chrysitis from S Europe, appearing in variable num• An attractive and distinctive moth, with a bers but often abundant. Fails to overwin• wingspan of 35--45mm. The forewings are ter in UK and N Europe. brown, with 2 broad yellowish bands - the Season 5-11. 'burnished brass' of its name. The head is Similar species orange. Beautiful Golden Y A. pulchrina is more Habitat In various open habitats, such as orange-brown in colour, with a less clear waste ground, gardens and commons, 'Y' mark next to a gold patch. Widespread where Stinging Nettle grows. and common throughout; resident. Status .and distribution Widespread Plain Golden Y A. jota is slightly duller, and common throughout. and has the 'Y' on a brownish rectangle. Season 6-9. Common and widespread.

192 LEPIDOPTERA Red Underwing Similar species ClI()Cd!dllll!J!d Burnet Companion Euclidia gIYI)/I/<" A large distinctive moth, with a wingspan of similar in shape and h2bitats, but Iamoths 'dis• SC()fi(){!ICI'Yx !i!!<11rix appear' when they settle after flying. Wingspan 45-50mm. A brownish 111",1 Habitat Woodlands, marshes, commons; with orange patches on the forewillf:' the larvae feed on willows and poplars. sinuous white transverse stripe, a Willi" 01, Status and distribution Widespread on on each shoulder, and hook-tipped "" the Continent, but only in the south of wavy-edged wings. Britain. Habitat Found in woodland, gal d"" Season 8-9. marshy places; overwinters as adult, ,'" Similar species may be seen in outhouses, sheds alld "v., Rosy Underwing C. electa has paler fore• caves. wings, and paler red on the hindwings. Rare Status and distribution Wide'I>!' ••1 and probably not resident in the UK; more throughout, though rare in Scotland. frequent on the Continent. Season Almost all year, but on tll<:Will Dark Crimson Underwing C.sponsa has 7-10 and 3-6. more attractively marbled forewings and redder (less orange) underwings. Wide• Snout spread but local in oakwoods; virtually con• l-Iy{!ella f)]'()/;()scida!is fined to the New Forest in Britain. A distinctively shaped small moth, Willi Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa wingspan of about 40mm. The palps wl,lllt is slightly smaller, paler and greyer than the project forward from the head giv•. '" preceding species but has its redder under• impression of a snout. Generally yellowl,lt wings. Similar habitats and distribution. brown, with transverse markings, ,11101 slightly hooked wing-tips. Mother Shipton Habitat Various open habitats, wit",. Callis/ege mi Stinging Nettle occurs.

An attractive little day-flying, Skipper-like Status and distribution Widesp, CHili moth, with a wingspan of 30-35mm. The and common throughout. brown marbled forewings each have a Season 6--10. mark like the face of an old witch, facing Similar species inwards - hence the name. Beautiful Snout H. crossalis is sli):llIly Habitat Flowery meadows, pastures and smaller, with attractively marked Ie" d scrub. Food-plants include various legumes. wings. Local in UK, mainly western; f".'d, Status and distribution Widespread on Bilberry. and locally common throughout, least com• mon in the north. Season 5-7.

194 LEPIDOPTERA Micro-moths PLUME MOTHS Micro-moths that hav,' feather-like wings and long barbed leg', As described on p.152, this is a large and difficult group of moths. Only those which Large White Plume are distinctive at some stage are described I'tCrolihorlfs licl1tadactyla here, including a number which are noticed A distinctive and familiar species, with readily in their larval stages, though rarely a wingspan of about 20mm, pure white. remarked on in the adult stage (e.g. the Ser• Frequently seen in gardens, and often pentine mines on Bramble leaves). A large comes to windows. The larvae roll Greater' number of families are included within the Bindweed leaves. They should be welcome heading 'micro moths'. in gardens! Habitat Gardens, hedges, scrub. Lar!ae Green Longhorn Moth feed on Bindweed especially the white• Adcla rmzmlllrc/la (uiridc/la) flowered Greater Bindweed, A distinctive little moth, with a body about Status and distribution Widespread IOmm long, but antennae 2-3 times this and common throughout. length (longest in males). Wings metallic Season 5-8, green. The moths fly by day and dance around bushes, such as Hawthorn, on Triangle Plume sunny days. l'Iatyfitilia gOl1odactyla Habitat Woodland edges, scrub and Wingspan about 15mm. Wings pale brown clearings. or almost white, usually marbled darker, Status and distribution Common vir• with a dark triangle on the front of each tually throughout. forewing. Season 4-6. Habitat In various rough habitats where the larval food-plant Colt's-foot grows. NCIllOliho/'a dcgcl!rc/la Status and distribution Widespread Slightly larger than Green Longhorn, with and common throughout. even longer antennae and a conspicuous Season 5-9. dark-edged yellow bar across the wing. Other similar plume moths occur within Day-flying. the area. They are hard to separate with• Habitat Damp woodlands, streams ides. out detailed examination. Status and distribution Widespread and generally frequent, though rare in Scot• Many-plumed Moth land. All/cita hcxadactyla Season 5--6. An attractive little moth, with a wingspan of Similar species 12-15mm, The brown wings are divided N. fascie/la is smaller, with a darker band into many feathery plumes, forming a fan• and shorter antennae. In scrub and rough like pattern. places. Widespread but local. Habitat Woodland edges, hedges and scrub. Food-plant Honeysuckle, the pink larvae feed amongst the buds and flowers. Status and distribution Widespread and moderately common throughout, though easily overlooked. Season Adults hibernate, most likely to be seen 8-10 and 4-6.

196 LEPIDOPTERA Brown China-mark Moth Habitat Hedges, rough ground, gardens, Nymphula nymfJheata on nettles and dead-nettles. An unusual moth, in having underwater lar• Status and distribution Widespread vae. Adults are marbled brown and white, and common throughout. with a wingspan of 20-25mm. The larvae Season 6-8. leave even, roughly oval marks in the float• Similar species ing leaves of water-lilies, which can often be See Large Magpie and its close relatives (see seen. p. I64) which are unrelated but rather sim• Habitat Around still and slow-moving ilar in general appearance. waters, where water-lilies occur. Status and distribution Widespread Bramble Leaf-miner and common throughout. Stigmella (Nepticula) aurelia Season 5--B. These tiny moths are much better known in their larval stage; the larvae cause the Common Crimson-and-gold attractive serpentine leaf mines in Bramble I'yrausta purpuralis leaves, with the tunnel enlarging as it goes Though small, with a wingspan of barely round. The adults are tiny, about 7--Bmm 20mm, this moth is surprisingly conspicu• wingspan, with a yellow stripe on each ous. It has reddish wings with gold markings wing. on the forewings, white on the hindwings, Habitat On Bramble, wherever it occurs. and flies by day (and at night), visiting Status and distribution Widespread flowers. and common throughout, except in the far Habitat In various rough, open habitats, north. where the larvae feed on mints or thyme. Season Adults 5-9, larval patterns visible Status and distribution Widespread through most of the summer and autumn and common throughout. until leaf-fall. Season 5--B. Similar species Similar species Tischeria marginea makes a much less P. aurota is very similar, has darker fore• attractive blotch-mine in Bramble leaves. wings and yellower markings on the hind• Similar habitats and distribution, but less wings. The larvae feed on Catmint and common. other members of the mint family. Wide• spread but less common. Gold Fringe Hypsopygia costalis has the same general colouring, in a different pat• tern - pinkish-red wings with a gold fringe. Local, absent from Scotland; widespread on the Continent.

Tischeria marginea, leaf mine Small Magpie Eurrhypara hartulata An attractive little moth, with a wingspan of 20-25mm. The wings are white, edged and dotted with black, and the insect has a yellow head.

198 LEPIDOPTERA