INSECTS

LEPIDOPTERA / MICRO MOTHS

Micro-moths are generally smaller than macro-moths although this is not always the case.  They are also thought to be more primitive than Macros. There are around 1600 native micro-moths.

7.001 Yellow-banded Longhorn are often seen in large groups dancing over bushes in sunshine during May. Males have extremely long antennae; those of females are much shorter. The larvae feed on leaf litter on the ground.

7.006 Green Longhorn are daytime flyers with bronzy or metallic greenish forewings. The males have long, whitish antennae, antennae belonging to females are shorter. When not dancing over hedgerows in the sunshine they rest on trees and other vegetation in large numbers.

8.002 Feathered Cutter males are similar to Incurvaria pectinea, both have feathered antennae, a characteristic uncommon in micro moths. This species has good contrasting features. Also known as 'Feathered Bright' and 'Feathered Leaf-cutter'.

11.012 Common Bagworm a common 'case-bearer' that has a very distinctive larval case. The cases are often found on plants, walls and fences. The larvae feed on grass, lichens and decaying plant debris.

25.001 Hawthorn Moth is a common species found in woodland, grassland and gardens. The larvae mine hawthorn leaves before feeding communally in a silken web spun on bushes. Adults are seen from May until September.

28.015 Lesser Tawny Crescent flies from June to August. It feeds under tree bark possibly on fungi or rotten wood. The larvae feed on lichens.

28.019 Sulphur Bark Moth is a brown moth seen flying in daytime from April to June. It has pale-yellow markings and whitish marks on the antennae. This species has recently undergone a name change and was previously known as the Sulphur Tubic. It feeds on dead wood.

28.022 Hedge Beauty is a colourful day-flying woodland species often seen in May and June on bramble during sunny mornings. Its larvae feed on rotten tree bark. Formerly known as the 'Common Tubic'.

29.001 Early Reveller appears in early spring and flies from March until May. Melanic forms occur in industrial areas. Females cannot fly. They feed on a range of deciduous trees. Previously known as the 'March Tubic'.

31.001 Oak Longhorn has antennae that are longer than the body. It lives in mature oak and beech woodland and is normally seen in July and August. This species feeds on various deciduous trees. Previously known as the Long-horned Flat-body.

32.031 Hemlock Moth was previously known as the 'Brown-spot Flat-body'. As the new name implies it is usually found around hemlock which is the larval foodplant.

35.033 Mallow Seed Moth is a rare dull-looking Essex species. It can be identified by a small diagnostic black dot at the base of each forewing. This species is believed to overwinter in thatch. Common Mallow and Hollyhock are larval foodplants. Formerly known as the 'Mallow Crest'.

Some species in the genus Coleophoridae are difficult to tell apart because they bear a similarity to each other. Most in the genus have larvae that initially feed on seeds, flowers and leaves. When the larvae get larger they construct distinctive silken cases often using plant material. Most have specific host plants; discarded larval cases are often found on affected plants.

37.047 Tare Case-bearer, formerly known as the 'Coast green case-bearer', is a rare and local species first recorded in Essex during 1973. This bronze-coloured moth can be identified by its orange eyes and pair of eyelashes, it also lacks white on the antennae. Its larvae feed on Smooth Tare Vicia tetrasperma, boring into seedpods that are used as portable cases.

38.004 Silver Grass-miner flies from May until August and is often disturbed in grassland areas. Its larvae feed on various grasses. Previously known as the Swan-feather Dwarf.

40.004 White-headed Mompha is a common woodland species that has raised scale-tufts. It flies during nighttime from June until September and is sometimes attracted to light. Its caterpillars feed on various willowherbs. It has a wingspan of 12mm. Formerly known as 'Marbled Mompha'.

40.008 Garden Mompha, a common micro-moth found throughout the year. It has a preference for damp locations and overwintering in garden sheds. Its larvae feed within the seedpods of various willowherbs.

41.002 Common Masoner is variable with light and dark forms. There is usually a 'X' marking when viewed from above which assists with identification. This species is found in a range of habitats including woodland, heaths and gardens from July to September. Previously known as the 'Dingy Dowd'.

45.010 Beautiful Plume hibernates over winter. This species inhabits heathland, woodland and hedgerows.

45.030 White Plume is one of the largest and distinctive plume moths. It inhabits meadows, gardens and waste ground and normally flies in June and July after dusk. This fairly common moth has a wingspan of 26-34 mm. Bindweed is the larval foodplant.

45.044 Common Plume is a widespread species that appears all through the year. The outer third of each wing is split into plumes, but with the wings so tightly rolled at rest that they look solid. Its larvae feed on bindweed.

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