Want To Know More? Moth Welfare Moth Identification No Species Month Flying Best found Size Habitat Caterpillar foodplant Status in Scotland Join Us The following books are 1 “Grass moth” 6-8 L, FBD, DBD 20-24 Everywhere Grasses Abundant, one of several similar “Grass moths” National Moth Recording Scheme (NMRS) recommended as further • Avoid handling moths as you may One of the first steps in moth identification is 2 Six-spot Burnet 6-8 FBD 15-19 Gr Bird’s-foot trefoil Common on coasts, not Orkney & Shetland Become a member of Butterfly Conservation for half price The NMRS, led by Butterfly Conservation, was set up damage them. recognising the commoner species. As an aid, Learn about reading or for identification: 3 Silver-ground Carpet 6-8 L, DBD 14-17 H, S, W, Ga, M Herbaceous plants including cleavers & primrose Very common and discover more about moths in your welcome pack. in 2007 to collate sightings of all macro-moths across the • Put moths in clear containers for details and photographs of 36 of Scotland’s Visit www.butterfly-conservation.org/lovemoths UK, (and micros since 2016). This culminated in 2019 Colour Identification Guide to Moths close inspection. commonest and more distinctive moths are 4 Yellow Shell 6-8 DBD 13-16 F, H, S, W, Gr Cleavers & bedstraws Common with the landmark publication of the Atlas of Britain & of the British Isles. (Third Edition) • Only have one moth per container and ensure provided within this leaflet. 5 Dark/Common Marbled Carpet 6-9 L, DBD, FAR, occ S & N 14-19 H, S, W, Ga, M Many including heathers, blaeberry, birch, bramble & willow Very common Ireland’s Larger Moths based on over 25 million moth B.Skinner (2009). it can move around freely. Scotland’s records. It contains accounts with distribution maps for A photographic guide to all • A sharp tap will usually dislodge moths All species are likely to be encountered by 6 Grey Pine Carpet 5-9 L, DBD 13-17 W, P, Ga Coniferous trees Very common except Shetland 866 macro-moths, and phenology, distribution and macro-moths of the British Isles. from egg trays into containers. beginners almost anywhere in Scotland. Some 7 July Highflyer 7-9 L, DBD 14-18 F, S, Ga, H, W Hazels, willows, blaeberry & heather Very common abundance trends for most species. • Keep potted moths in a cool place moths are renowned for being extremely variable Field Guide to the Moths of Great 8 Winter Moth 10-1 L, DBD, FAR 13-16 Everywhere Trees & heather Abundant common moths (i.e. fridge) to prevent them becoming active particularly in colour, pattern and even size. Britain and Ireland. (Third Edition) We encourage you to contribute to the NMRS by and rubbing off their scales. Also, as moths age they lose wing-scales and 9 Common Pug 5-6 L 10-12 F, S, Ga, H, W, Ga Flowers & leaves of low growing plants & leaves of broadleaved trees Very common except Shetland P.Waring & M.Townsend (2017). submitting your sightings either online or to your • Avoid trapping regularly on consecutive nights become less well-marked making identification Illustrated by R.Lewington, it shows 10 Chimney Sweeper 6-8 FBD 12-15 Gr, H, W, S Pignut Common on mainland & Mull County Moth Recorder. Details can be found here to prevent recapturing the same individuals. more difficult. Some moths are very difficult to all macro-moths in their natural 11 Magpie 7-8 DBD, L, FAR 18-25 Ga, W, S, M Broad-leaved trees & heather Abundant in north & west, scarce in east and south www.butterfly-conservation.org/moths along with resting postures. • Garden birds will soon learn to feast upon tell apart and even puzzle the experts, so don’t lots of other useful information including Why Moths moths lying outside the trap or at release expect to be able to identify every moth you find. 12 Clouded Border 6-7 FBD, L 11-14 W, S, F Aspen & willows Common except Orkney & Shetland Matter, The State of Britain’s Moths Reports and Concise Guide to the Moths of Great sites so... 13 Brimstone Moth 5-7 L, DBD 14-21 H, Ga, W, S, Gr Blackthorn, hawthorn & rowan Common except Shetland What’s Flying Tonight, an app which uses NMRS data Britain and Ireland. (Second Edition) • Check your trap as early as possible in to determine the species most likely to be seen P.Waring & M.Townsend (2019). the morning. Top ID Tips 14 Early Thorn 5-6 L 14-23 W, S, Ga, H Deciduous trees Common mainland & Orkney centred on your postcode and date. Illustrated by R.Lewington. • Or cover with a sheet at dawn and put the 15 Peppered Moth 5-8 L 22-28 W, S, Ga, H Mainly deciduous trees Common except Orkney, Shetland & Outer Hebrides A fun-size version of the above. trap in the shade. • Buy a good identification guide and use 16 Mottled Beauty 6-8 L, FAR, DBD, N 19-26 W, M, S, H, Ga Wide range of woody plants Common except Orkney & Shetland Butterfly Conservation’s East Scotland Branch website • Release moths away from the trap, ideally at recommended identification websites. British Moths: A Photographic Guide. is also a fantastic resource for information, including dusk, in long/thick vegetation. • Always have some clear containers to hand. 17 Common Heath 5-6 FBD, DBD 12-15 M Heathers Abundant on moorland except Shetland (Second Edition) • Wing shape and pattern are often more Scottish moths by month, Scottish distribution maps C.Manley (2015) 18 Common White Wave 6-7 L, FAR, DBD 15-17 W, S Birch, alder & willows Common except Orkney & Shetland helpful than colour. for all macros and micros, with flight charts for the A comprehensive collection of • Check flight period, distribution, foodplants 19 Light Emerald 6-8 L, DBD 18-26 W, S, Ga Wide range of broadleaved trees Common except Shetland former, Scottish moth caterpillars by habitat, and the photographs of living insects taken Moth-ers Welfare! and habitats. Scottish Moth Voucher Archive that contains validated in natural conditions. Covers the 20 Poplar Hawk-moth 5-7 L 30-46 W, S, Ga, M, F Aspen, poplars & willows Common except Shetland & Western Isles Keep yourself safe by… • Start early in the season (e.g. April) when fewer digital photographs of Scottish moths. All this and more majority of British macros and micros. 21 Lesser Swallow Prominent 5-8 L 20-26 W, M, G, S Birch Common except outer isles can be found here www.butterfly-conservation.org/ • Avoid looking directly at light-trap bulbs, species are on the wing. in-your-area/east-scotland-branch Field Guide to the Micro-moths of consider using sunglasses with UV protection. • Look for moths regularly so that you become 22 Garden Tiger 7-8 L 17-20 M, S, Ga, Gr Herbaceous plants especially dock Common except Shetland Great Britain and Ireland. • Do not use cracked or damaged bulbs, acquainted with the most common or 23 White Ermine 6-7 L 18-23 Ga, H, Gr, M, M, S Herbaceous plants Common except Shetland One of the best ways to find out more about moths is P.Sterling & M.Parsons (2012). check before use. distinctively marked species. 24 Large Yellow Underwing 6-10 L, N, S, DBD 1-26 Everywhere Herbaceous plants & grasses Abundant to attend a local moth trapping event run by your local Illustrated by R.Lewington, it includes • Use waterproof connections and use • Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your Butterfly Conservation Branch. For more information the bulk of British micro-moths in a rain-shield to protect the bulb. County Moth Recorder or others, ideally with 25 Square-spot Rustic 8-10 L, N, S 14-17 W, M, S, F, Gr, Ga, H Mainly grasses but also herbaceous plants Very common one volume. • Don’t touch MV-bulbs, they get very hot! the moth still available. visit www.butterfly-conservation.org/events 26 Bright-line Brown-eye 6-7 L, N, S 14-19 W, M, S, F, Gr, Ga, H Wide range of herbaceous plants Common BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION SCOTLAND Ensure trap is plugged into mains via a RCD Identification from photographs is possible Field Guide to the Caterpillars of • • Balallan House, 24 Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG 27 Antler Moth 7-9 L, N, S, FBD 12-17 Gr, M Grasses especially tough species Common in suitable habitat The Scottish moth forum is an excellent online group Great Britain and Ireland (earth leakage trip). for most species and will help you build up T: 01786 447753 for obtaining identifications of mystery moths, seeing B.Henwood & P.Sterling (2020). • Beware of wasps attracted to sugar, wine ropes your own digital collection for future reference. 28 Hebrew Character 3-6 L, N, S 15-17 Everywhere Wide range of broadleaved trees & herbaceous plants Abundant E: [email protected] or light-traps. • Moths will remain alive in a container in the other posted queries and the species others are catching. Illustrated by R.Lewington, it covers 29 Smoky Wainscot 7-8 L, N, S 14-18 Gr, F, Ga, M Grasses especially cock’s-foot & reed Common www.butterfly-conservation.org/scotland To sign up visit www.groups.io/g/scottishmoths the species (moths and butterflies) • Be prepared for midges and ticks. fridge for a day or two while you ponder that are most likely to be • When moth trapping away from your garden their identity. 30 Sallow 8-9 L,S 14-17 W, S, F, M.Ga Willows & aspen Common FOLLOW US encountered in the British Isles.