Lulworth Habitat Found in rough grassy 1)1.11' ThYlIlcliclfs actCtJl/ including fens and the upper parts of ·",11 One of the 'golden skippers' (as are all the marshes. following ) which rest with their Status and distribution Locally ("," wings at 45°. This is both the smallest mon in south-eastern parts of B";I."II (wingspan about 26mm) and the darkest of absent elsewhere. Widespread through,,", the group, and the females have a gold cir• N . cle on the forewings (upper side). The Season 5-8. undersides of the antennae tips are cream• coloured. Silver-spotted Skipper

Habitat Rough grassland, where Tor J !cs/Jcria C()lllJJ1Ll Grass or brames occur. An attractive skipper; wingspan 30-3511\11I Status and distribution Very restricted Its most distinctive feature is the und"1 in UK, on the and Devon coasts. sides of the wings, which are greeni\h Widespread on the Continent fram N brown marked with conspicuous whit"

Germany southwards, rare in the north. spots, brighter in females. The upper SUI Season 6-9. faces are similar but less boldly marked, with more orange. Habitat Chalk grassland and sirnibr ThYlIleliclfS syll'estris places with short grass and bare ·soil.Food A small golden-brown , with few plants include fescues and other fill,' positive distinguishing features. Brighter grasses. than Lulworth (above) and lacking the Status and distribution Rare and golden circles; smaller and less boldly declining in the UK, confined to S . marked than (see below). Widespread and locally frequent on the can only be satisfactorily sep• Continent. arated by looking at the undersides of the Season 6-9 in Europe, 8-9 in UK. antennae: black in Essex, orange in Small. Habitat Many kinds of rough grassy Large Skipper places with flowers. Food-plants include Och/odes l'C1zatI/S various coarse grasses. Rather similar to Small Skipper, but larger Status and distribution Common in S (to 36mrn), and with upper surfaces of Britain, absent from Scotland; widespread wings distinctly marked with squarish on the Continent. orange patches towards the edges, sepa• Season 5-8. rated by dark veins. The undersides are similar but less boldly marked, though dis• Essex Skipper tinct from the plain undersides of Small, ThYllleliws linco/a Essex and Lulworth. Resembles Small Skipper very closely. It can Habitat Grassy, flowery places of all only be reliably distinguished by the black kinds. Food-plants include Cocksfoot and undersides to the antennae, though with other coarse grasses. experience the slightly paler colour and the Status and distribution Increasingly slightly shorter sex brand on the male's common southwards in England and forewing, which runs roughly parallel to the Wales; widespread and common on the wing margin (angled slightly towards it in Continent. the Small Skipper) can be used. Season 6-9.

I SO L E P I DO P TE R A Moths unimproved habitats, including gardclI', Nocturnal. The differences between moths and but• Status and distribution Widesprc~d terflies are discussed on p.118. Moths and generally common throughout th. themselves constitute a very large group of area. , with over 3,000 species occurring Season 6-9. in the area covered, and about 5,000 in Similar species Europe as a whole. Moths can be difficult to Common Swift H. lupulinus is slightly identify, partly because there are so many, smaller, with white markings on browil but also because there are many variants, wings. Common almost throughout. and individuals gradually lose their scales Gold Swift H. hecto is as small as Com mOil with age, causing the identification features Swift, with white markings on gold. Wide. to become blurred. Within the moths, spread. some groups can be reasonably easily rec• ognized, though as some groups may con• Goat Moth tain hundreds of species, this does not C()SSUS C()SSIIS really solve the identification problem. A large robust moth, with a wingspan of up Moths are often separated into the to almost 10cm in the larger females. The larger ('macro-') moths and the 'micro• wings are greyish striped and mottled moths'. Many guides cover only the larger darker, and the stout body is striped. The moths, partly because micro-moths are dif• larvae are reddish-purple, and may reach ficult to identify, and partly because there 80mm long when fully grown. are so many of them. The selection of Habitat The larvae live in dead wood more conspicuous micro-moths featured (taking several years to mature), and thc on pp. I96-20 I includes some that are adults may be seen almost anywhere. Noc• most visible in their larval stage (such as turnal. some of the leaf-miners). Status and distribution Formerly wide• The macro-moths, which include virtu• spread and moderately common, but ally all the familiar moths, are divided declining steeply due to loss of larval into 17 families, often grouped together habitat. into a smaller number of superfamilies. Season 6-8. Some families are very small, others are difficult to characterize; but a few, such Leopard Moth as clearwings, hawk-moths and so on, are Zellzera !Jyrilla worth knowing and are briefly described Similar to the Goat Moth in shape, but in the text. much smaller (wingspan So-7Smm), with brighter white wings dotted with grey; the Macro-moths furry 'head' is white with 6 black dots. Habitat The larvae feed in the wood of Orange Swift deciduous trees; adults may be seen almost Hepia/us sy/villa anywhere with trees - woods, parks and A medium-sized moth; wingspan about gardens. Nocturnal. 30mm (male) to 4Smm (female). Males Status and distribution Local and orange-red, striped with white; females southern in the UK; widespread on the browner. Larvae live on roots. Continent. Habitat Widespread in many open and Season 6-8.

152

1\ Burnets and Foresters, 5-spot Burnet Family Zygaenidae /'yg£1Clhl Iriffllii Very like 6-spot, though slightly smaller, Brightly coloured day-flying gregarious with 5 red spots on each forewing, and a moths. broad dark margin to the hindwing. Habitat Rough grassland, often slightly Common Forester damp. The food-plants are Greater and ildscil£1 SllIlicl's Common Bird's-foot Trefoil. An attractive and conspicuous moth Status and distribution A southern despite its small size (wingspan 25-30mm). species, extending northwards in the UK to Bright, slightly bluish, green, with black the English Midlands; widespread on the antennae; commonly seen at flowers. Continent as far north as Denmark. Habitat Rough, flowery grassland. The lar• Season 5--8. vae feed on Common and Sheep's Sorrel. Status and distribution Widespread and locally common throughout, though declining. Season 5-7. Similar species ~~~ Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Cistus Forester A. geryon is sinailer (if 5-spot Burnet same sexes are compared). It is local in dry, flowery habitats, mainly southern. Scarce Forester A. g/obu/ariae is the same Similar species size as Common, but the males have Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Z. pointed not thickened antennae tips. Very /onicerae differs in that the hindwing dark local and southern, feeding mainly on knap• border is very narrow, and the red weeds. forewing spots tend to be more separate. Occurs in all kinds of grassland, widespread 6-spot Burnet but local, though often overlooked. ZY);IIC1hl fili/ll'lldulac Burnets are very distinctive as a group, with Transparent Burnet black forewings dotted with red, and red Z )');'1('1111fiur/J//ralis hindwings with a narrow dark border. Similar in size and general colour to the Wingspan 30-40mm. This species has 6 red above, but the wings are thinly scaled and spots on each forewing. The papery pupal translucent; the forewings are streaked cases are a common sight attached to with 3 indistinct marks; the hindwings are grasses. red with a very thin border. Habitat Grassy, flowery places of all Habitat Grassy, flowery slopes, mainly in kinds. the mountains. Status and distribution Common and Status and distribution Very local in widespread, throughout the area. the UK, confined to Scottish W Highlands Season 5-9. and Islands, and W Eire; confined to hilly Similar species areas on the Continent. See the following two species. Season 5--8.

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154 LEPIDOPTERA Clearwings, Family Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopae(ormis Small to medium-sized moths, with wings A small moth, with a wingspan of 20• free of scales, therefore at least partly 25mm. The body is black, with a single red transparent - they may resemble wasps or 'belt'; wings clear, edged black. hornets. Mostly day-flying. Habitat Woods and orchards where Apple, Rowan, Pear or related trees occur. Hornet Moth Status and distribution Local in S Sesia api(ormis Britain, widespread on the Continent from Distinctive and attractive moth, with a N Germany southwards. wingspan of 40-50mm. Body yellow striped Season 6-8. with brown, wings clear but edged with Similar species brown. Legs brown. Day-flying. Large Red-belted Clearwing S. culici• Habitat Open woodland and damp areas formis is slightly larger, and has bases of with poplars. The main food-plant is Black forewings dusted with red scales. Feeds on Poplar, less commonly other poplars; the Birch and Alder. Widespread and frequent. larvae feed on the wood. Red-tipped Clearwing S. formicaeformis Status and distribution Widespread has red-tipped forewings. Widespread and but local; very rare in N Britain, frequent frequent, except in Scotland. throughout the Continent. Season 6-8. Six-belted Clearwing Similar species scopigera Lunar Hornet Moth S. bembeciformis is Wingspan about 20mm, body rather wasp• similar, but slightly smaller, with darker like in colouring with six yellow bands on a head and thorax, and conspicuous orange black ground colour. hairs on hind legs. Similar habitats and dis• Habitat Rough flowery grassy places, tribution; food-plant is willow. especially on limestones. May fly by day. Status and distribution Locally com• Currant Clearwing mon in the south of Britain, widespread on Synanthedon tipuli(ormis the Continent. A small moth, with a wingspan of about Season 6-9. 20mm. Body dark, with 3 (female) or 4 (male) yellow rings on abdomen. Wings December Moth clear, with brown tips and margin. Poecilocampa populi Habitat Can be found in woods and gar• A medium-sized moth, with a wingspan of dens, wherever wild or cultivated currants 40-45mm. Females much larger than occur. males. Forewings dark grey, with white Status and distribution A locally com• streaks; hindwings paler, body very hairy. mon species in S England, becoming rarer Habitat Wooded and well-treed coun• towards the north; widespread on the tryside, feeding on various deciduous trees. Continent. Status and distribution Widely distrib• Season 5-7. uted and moderately common throughout. Similar species Season 10-12 (a time when few other Sallow Clearwing S. ffaviventris is almost moths are flying). identical, but lacks the yellow on the Similar species abdomen; it occurs in slightly different habi• Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris is similar in tats, where it feeds in Sallow stems, causing shape and colour, but has 2 white spots on a gall-like swelling. Local in SE England, each forewing, though variable. Widespread widespread on the Continent. though local and declining, flying 2-3.

156 LEPIDOPTERA I. The Lackey Status and distribution Widespread iVIalau)S()17II.lII£,lfSlril.l and common throughout. The adult is a medium-sized moth, with a Season 5-7. wingspan of up to 40mm; dull brown, with a darker stripe. The larvae are much more The Drinker conspicuous and distinctive, being large, f'hi/udoria pota/oria blue-, red- and white-striped, with long A largish moth, with a wingspan of 50• dark brown hairs. They feed on Hawthorn, 70mm. The ground colour is yellowish to Blackthorn and other shrubs. red-brown; males are darker, and both Habitat Woods, hedges and scrub. sexes have a distinctive brown diagonal line Status and distribution Widespl-ead across the forewings. Males fly by day. The and common throughout. lal'vae are conspicuous and distinctive, Season 4-6 for larvae, 7-8 for adults. being dark and hairy, with white marks along the side. Oak Eggar Habitat Rough habitats, often damp, I.asiOCal71/hlquCl'olS qucrcus where reeds, Bush-grass and other tall A large moth, with a wingspan of up to grasses grow. 90mm. All wings similar, deep brown near Status and distribution Widespread the body, paler towards the edge, and and common throughout. forewings have a single white spot. Males Season 7-8, larvae 9--6 (most noticeable have feathered antennae, and fly by day. 5-6). Habitat Woodland and scrub, and more open habitats - very mobile. The Lappet Status and distribution Widespread Gastropacha qUCl'cifo/ia and moderately common throughout. A large moth; wingspan up to 90mm. Usu• Season 6-8. ally reddish-brown, with 2 wavy lines Similar species across the forewing, and scalloped edges to Northern Eggar L quercus callunae is rel• the wings. Males have feathery antennae. atively unusual in that 2 subspecies have dif• Habitat Open woods, hedges and unim• ferent English names. Differs mainly in that proved farmland. The larvae feed on vari• the margin of the deep brown colour turns ous shrubs. outwards on the forewing. Similar distribu• Status and distribution Absent from N tion, though more local, and found more in Britain, widespread on the Continent. heathy and moorland areas. Season 6-8. Grass Eggar L trifo/ii is rather smaller, and much paler, but with a similar pattern. Emperor Moth Widespread in heathy places. Satur!lia pavol1ia A large, beautiful moth; wingspan 80• Fox Moth 90mm. All 4 wings have large colourful Macrothy/acia ruhi 'eye-spots' in the centre on both surfaces. Similar in size, shape and colour to Grass Males are day-flying and have feathery Eggar, with a wingspan of 50-70mm, but antennae. The larvae eventually become distinguished by the 2 pale bars across the very conspicuous, green, with red or yel• forewings; ground colour variable, espe• low spots and clumps of black bristles. cially in males, which may be quite red. Day• Habitat Mainly on heaths and moors, flying. sometimes in other rough habitats. Habitat Rough grassland, heathland and Status and distribution VVidespread moorland; food-plants include heathers, throughout, but not common. Bilberry, Bramble. Season 4-6, larvae 6-7.

158 LEPIDOPTERA