Orange Underwing | Hainault Forest

70.203 Orange Underwing

Archiearis parthenias

TQ4793 27/02/2019 ©Raymond Small

Orange Underwing is a day-flying moth seen on sunny days in March and April. They tend to stay near the top of birch trees, but are sometimes seen lower down on gorse bushes.

TQ4892 18/03/2019 ©Raymond Small

Orange Underwing or Light Orange Underwing?

This day-flying moth was spotted on a path at the back of Hainault Lake. The Orange Underwing and Light Orange Underwing are two very similar species that can only be told apart by examining the hindwing underside. Although not able to confirm this identification, Light Orange Underwing seemed very plausible. Simon thought it was a Light Orange Underwing Archiearis notha, a view shared by Essex Field Club specialist Rob Smith, who suggested it was a very strong candidate for being a female based on markings and wing shape.

Macro-moths