An Introduction to Moths

Do moths differ from Butterflies?

No, not that much.

They are both in the Lepidoptera classification.

(scale-covered wings from Greek; lepis “scale” & pteron “wing”)

Butterflies are day-flying, they hold their wings over their back when at rest and have clubbed antennae.

But some moths also fly by day e.g. Cinnabar, Silver Y and Burnet moths – over 150 in total.

Why are moths so important?

Pollinators

Part of the food chain – bats, birds

THEY LOOK AMAZING

However, some moths could also be counted as pests e.g. the Oak Processionary and the Box Tree moth.

Moths have wonderful names

To give a few examples:

Mother Shipton, Beautiful Snout, Uncertain, Confused, Old Lady, Drinker, Cousin German, Miller, Setacious Hebrew Character.

Sometimes associated with foodplants: Cabbage, Turnip, Cudweed, Toadflax Pug, Oak Hook-tip.

There are Waves, Pugs, Carpets, Wainscots, Footman, Plumes.

Foodplants

If you haven’t got the foodplant you haven’t got the moth.

Here at Sparham we only get the moths associated with heathland as strays. But we get lots associated with grassland, river valley habitat and woodland.

Oak, Willow and Birch trees support the most. Then Hawthorn, Alder etc. Grasses are important and there are several evergreen specialists. Larvae will also feed on wood, lichens, and clothes!

Lifecycle

Adult – egg – larva – pupa.

Any break in the chain can doom the moth/butterfly.

SO, LOOK AFTER THE FOODPLANTS.  

Finding moths

·       Lights: Commonly used now

·       Sugaring: used a lot years ago. Some species come to sugar but not to lights.  Plaster a tree/post with a combo of treacle, beer, rotting fruit etc

·       ‘Sallowing’ on spring evenings. The first nectar-fest of the year on sallow blossom – Pussy Willow.

·       ‘Dusking’ on the evening

·       Larval searches. Larval webs (ermine moths)

·       Pheromone lures

How many moths?

130,000 species worldwide

2500 in UK

1910 in Norfolk

905 have been recorded at Sparham Hall Farm

Butterflies: 18,500 worldwide, 60 in UK, 40 in Norfolk and 30 at Sparham

Compared with mammals (4,000) and birds (10,000).

INSECTS RULE – biomass pyramid. 

Migrant moths and climate change

Lots migrate!

Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow are well known Butterfly migrants.

Migrant moths include Silver Y, Diamond backed moth, various Hawk-moths.

Mothing nutters head for the south and east coast during migration times.

More southern species colonising the UK.

UK species moving northwards

They fly all year

Winter moths can be in swarms on warm December evenings. But these will only ever be males; females do not have fully formed wings. They just wait on tree trunks.

What else can be found in the moth trap?

Butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, lacewings, spiders, wasps, hornets, grasshoppers, crickets, shield bugs, Caddis flies. And quite a lot of unidentifiable low-life!