WILD NEPHIN NATIONAL PARK

Elephant Hawk (Deilephila elpenor)

A member of the Family Sphingidae. Forewing is 28-33mm, olive green and pink colorings makes it one of the largest and most recognisable moths in Ireland. The caterpillar's resemblance to an elephant's trunk is where the name originates. A nocturnal moth that can be seen hovering as it feeds on that open or produce nectar at night-time. They have very sensitive eyes that allow it to see color even at low-light, helping them locate food at night between May and August. Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)

A member of the Geometridae Family. Forewing is 22-28mm, speckled black and white, this is a night-time flying moth found in temperate climates like Ireland. The caterpillars are very well camouflaged, as is the adult, not only do they mimic the colour of a twig, but they resemble the twig's form also; protection against predators. During the day, the moths typically rest on trees, where they may be preyed on by birds. Flight season is between May and August.

Buff-Tip Moth (Phalera bucephala)

A member of the Family Notodontidae. Forewing is 22-34mm, grey with a large prominent buff patch at the wingtips, it's thoracic hairs are also buff coloured. The moth resembles a broken twig when at rest, with wings held vertical to its stout body. The hindwings are creamy white. This moth flies at night from May to July.

Green Carpet Moth (Colostygia pectinataria)

A member of the Family Geometridae. Forewing is 12-15mm, green to bluish-green. In older specimens, the greenish colour can fade. Sometimes newly emerged moths have a whitish, yellowish or pink colour. The hindwings shimmer grey-white and have faint lines. Found in bogs, scrub, forest edges and damp heath, flight season is June to August.

Oak Eggar Moth ( quercus)

A member of the Family . Forewing is 25-34 mm, deep rich brown colour with a central cream spot and a broader pale outer band. Females are a lighter buff colour. It's name comes from the resemblance of the pupa to an acorn. One of Ireland's largest day- flying moths, found in heaths,fens, bogs, edge of woodlands, scrub and sand-dunes or sea cliffs. Flight season is between May and July. WILD NEPHIN NATIONAL PARK MOTHS

Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi)

A member of the Family Lasiocampidae. Forewing is 22-31mm, reddish brown while females are usually paler, more greyish in colour and slightly larger. The males usually fly in the afternoon and night, while the females fly only at night. Caterpillars feed on heather, bilberry, heath and brambles. Flight season is from May to June. The heath loving caterpillars are very common along the trail at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre in the National Park.

Eggs

Adult

Caterpillar Fox Moth Life Cycle Females lay batches of grey eggs on brambles and heathers. The caterpillars hatch 3 weeks later, feeding on heathers, bramble, , bilberry, salad burnet and meadowsweet. Mature caterpillars are 70mm long, very hairy, dark brown and are often seen basking in the sun on paths and low lying vegetation prior to over wintering down in the leaf litter and loose soil. Emerging in early spring when they can again be seen basking in the sun. Pupation takes 4 weeks, cocooned down amongst the vegetation. Males can be seen during sunny days flying quickly over low lying vegetation seeking out newly emerged females. Emperor Moth ( pavonia)

A member of the Family . Forewing is 27-41mm, with unmistakable markings with red and orange fascia and a bold black and orange eyespot. The hindwings are orange with a similar eyespot. The females are larger, but less brightly coloured than the male. Females are generally grey and white, but have all wings marked with eyespots similar to the male. Food on the bright green caterpillar include: brambles, heather, blackthorn and hawthorn. Flight season of the adults is from April to May. WILD NEPHIN NATIONAL PARK MOTHS

Red Chestnut (Cerastis rubricosa)

A member of the Family. Forewing is 14-19mm, uniformly warm brown, slightly dusted white, orange blotched kidney markings. Habitat is broad-leaved woodlands and scrub. Flight season is from April to May.

Red Sword-Grass Moth (Xylena vetusta)

Another member of the Family Noctuidae. Forewing is 24-29mm, straw coloured with an orange tint, dorsal side is mahogany brown, at rest wings are held close to the body resembling a twig. Habitat is moorland, heaths, bog, damp wood and marshes. Flight season is from March to May.

Early Thorn Moth (Selenia dentaria)

A member of the Family Geomtridae. Forewings measure 14-23mm. This moth has distinguishable tawny orange scalloped edges to the wing tips, holding the wings back at rest like a butterfly. Larval food plants are blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, birch and other woody broadleaved plants. Habitats include woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Flight season is March to May and July to September.

Clouded Drab Moth ( incerta)

A member of the Family Noctuidae. Forewing is 16-20mm, variable in shape but fairly sharp tipped, outer crosslines are paler with dark blotches on leading edges. Habitat is scrub and woodlands. Flight season is from March to May.

Hebrew Character Moth (Orthosia gothica)

Another member of the Family Noctuidae. Forewings 15-17mm, greyish or reddish brown, named after the unique saddle shaped black mark in the centre of its forewing. Habitat is widespread from moorland, bogs to small urban gardens. Flight season is from April to June.

To discover more about Ireland's moths see: http://www.irishmoths.net