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.

62.001 Bee Moth is a fairly common species that flies from May to August. Males are more brightly coloured and patterned than the females. The larvae feed on comb inside bee and wasp nests.

62.029 Oak Knot-horn is a woodland species that flies in July and August. Oak is the larval foodplant. Previously know as the Dotted Oak Knot-horn.

62.034 Beautiful Oak Knot-horn is a woodland species that flies in July and August. Oak is the larval foodplant. Previously known as the Warted Knot-horn.

62.077 Rosy Tabby is found gardens, heathland, woodland, grassland and scrub from June to August. There is sometimes a second brood during October if conditions are good. Its larvae feed om Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil.

63.006 Mint Moth is a tiny moth that flies during the day and night. It is often seen on Water Mint at the edge of Hainault Lake from May until August on sunny days. Also known as the Small Purple & Gold.

63.025 Small Magpie flies in June and July. Larval foodplants include nettle, woundworts, horehounds, bindweeds.

63.028 European Corn-borer  was a rarely recorded migrant prior to the 1930s, but has since spread and colonised some parts of London and the south-east. Females are normally larger and have lighter colouration than males. Mugwort is the larval foodplant.

63.062 Indian Meal Moth is seen from June until September. The larvae feed on cereal, grain, dried fruit, and nuts.

63.080 Garden Grass-moth is one of the commonest 'grass moths'. It has characteristic angled cross-lines and a golden fringe to forewing. Adults fly in June and July. The larvae feed on grass.

63.089 Common Grass-moth is a very common micro-moth that flies from June until September. Its larvae feed on various grasses. This species is easily disturbed when walking through long grass.

63.099 Pearl Grass-moth  flies in July and August. Its larvae feed on grass.

63.116 Small China-mark is on the wing from June until August. This Moth is often spotted at Sheepwater and Roe's Well when the waterside vegetation gets disturbed. Males are slightly smaller and whiter than the females. This species feeds on duckweed.

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