Moths

Moths unfairly have a lower profile than butterflies. This is primarily due to them flying at night and as are not seen so often. If they are seen it is often after they have flown into the house attracted by lights, these instances often deemed a nuisance.

The injustice is highlighted by the enormous range of moths to be found, over 1000 in Cornwall. These range in size from over five inches to under an eighth of an inch. Many moths are drab but some are spectacular. Most of the spectacular caterpillars to be found are those of moths.

Due to the large number of moth species to be found in Cornwall, this site has not attempted to cover them as it has for butterflies. Here are included those we have come across.

  Magpie Moth Abraxas grossulariata

  Privet Hawk Moth Sphinx ligustri

  Six Spotted Burnet Zygaena filipendulae

  Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae

  Hummingbird Hawkmoth
     Macroglossum stellatarum

  Elephant Hawk Moth Deilephila elpeno

Magpie Moth  Abraxas grossulariata

A common garden species. The moth itself is not often seen as it flies by night, however the caterpillars are.

The caterpillar is a yellowish orange with spots. This makes it easy to spot, but also acts as a warning to predators that it is unpleasant to eat.

The caterpillar forms a tight loop when it moves, hence the nickname "looper".

Six Spotted Burnet Zygaena filipendulae

The burnets are very colourful day flying moths. They are a dark metallic green but depending on the light may appear black.

There are six red spots on each fore wing. The hind wings are red (not shown here).

Their colouring advertises their toxicity. This poison is obtained as caterpillars from their food plants the trefoils and vetches.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum

A day flying moth with a distinctive hovering flight. Its fast beating wings, rapid flight and being always on the move, makes it difficult to get to a good look at.

A regular migrant from Europe, which in some years can be in large numbers. Often seen in gardens feeding on nectar with its long tongue.

They will breed, the caterpillars foodplant is bedstraw. It is not certain whether hummingbird moths can overwinter in Cornwall.

Privet Hawk Moth Sphinx ligustri

Privet hawk moths are the largest British moths. They are primarily brown with pink banding on the body.

The caterpillars are mainly green, with purple and white stripes. On their rear they have a black horn. Their foodplants are privet, ash and lilac.

Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae 

This moth can be seen flying during the day. The caterpillars are easy to distinguish with their yellow and black stripping. The caterpillars advertise their presence but it is a warning to predators, as they are highly distasteful.

It is an useful insect, it feeds almost wholly on ragwort, a real nuisance plant to farmers, as it can poison stock. The caterpillar can be so common that it completely out eats it food supply causing its numbers to crash.

Elephant Hawk Moth Deilephila elpeno

The caterpillar of this hawk moth can be readily distinguished by the two large eye markings on its head.

These markings are used as a defence. When threatened it rears up its head, which its swells, giving the impression of a larger more frightening creature.