Search results
UKMoths is built, run and maintained by Ian Kimber, with thanks to the many kind contributors who provide photos and information. Get Connected. The UKMoths Facebook Page is a great place to post your identification queries. More often than not you'll get a positive ID on most photos fairly quickly.
- Geometridae
UKMoths is built, run and maintained by Ian Kimber, with...
- Depressariidae
Depressariidae - British Moths | Thumbnail List by Family |...
- Tortricidae
Tortricidae - British Moths | Thumbnail List by Family |...
- Noctuidae
The Ni Moth Trichoplusia ni; Slender Burnished Brass...
- Geometridae
- Angle shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) Angle shades moth. Did you know? Research suggests that the UK and northern Europe may have its own resident species of angle shades which is distinct from another that migrates here from further south.
- Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) Herald moth. How to identify. Another master of disguise that blends in perfectly with fallen autumn leaves.
- Peppered moth (Biston betularia) Melanic (left) and light (right) forms of the peppered moth. Did you know? The dark form of this moth is thought to have become more common during the Industrial Revolution when it would have better blended in against soot-covered surfaces - the perfect example of natural selection in action.
- Old lady (Mormo maura) Old lady moth. How to identify. This moth is so named because the wing patterning is said to resemble that of a woman's shawl.
The ultimate idea of the site was to illustrate as many species of British moths as possible and to provide this information in an accessible format. Over 2500 species have been recorded in the British Isles, and currently 2283 of these are illustrated, featuring 7415 photographs.
- Identifying Moths
- Silver-Y
- Large Yellow Underwing
- Red Underwing
- Angle Shades
- Peppered Moth
- White Ermine
- Muslin Moth
- Swallow-tailed Moth
- Feathered Thorn
Getting started with identifying moths can appear a rather daunting task. This concern is understandable as a quick skim through any field guide will quickly show the near identical appearances of some species and the extreme variation present in others. However there are a number of moth species that are quite distinct and offer an excellent intro...
Latin name: Autographa gamma Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Medium Look out for: Unbroken silver “y” on the upper forewing. Did you know?:The Silver-Y undertake intergenerational migrations. Immigrant moths in spring will breed and over successive generations swell their population size by around four times, until the Autumn when they emigrate b...
Latin name: Noctua pronuba Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Medium/Large Identification: Yellow hindwings with black borders are the best indicator, however it often rests with wings closed and has a highly variable appearance. Did you know?:Considered by some to be one of our most common medium-large moths, especially when populations are bolster...
Latin name: Catocala nupta Distribution: Throughout UK, most common in south-central England Size: Large Identification: Red hindwing is very distinctive. Similar looking species have a darker crimson red and are much scarcer. Did you know?:The Red Underwing is gradually increasing its range northwards and becoming more common in previously low-den...
Latin name: Phlogophora meticulosa Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Medium Identification: Unique folded wings give the impression of a fallen autumn leaf Did you know?:Adult moths are often encountered in the day resting in the open.
Latin name: Biston betularia Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Large Identification: Rests with wings spread open. White form is peppered with black spots. Black form has mostly uniform colour and is generally only found in urban areas. Did you know?:The abundance of white and black variants of the Peppered Moth has been extensively studied and is ...
Latin name: Spilosoma lubricipeda Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Medium Identification: Strong white coloured forewings, peppered with black spots, and a yellow-coloured upper abdomen. Wing colour and spotting is variable within and between populations. Did you know?:Its common name is derived from its resemblance to an Ermine coat.
Latin name: Diaphora mendica Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Medium Identification: They have large stocky wings. Males typically have grey-brown coloured wings, whereas Females have a similar colouration to White Ermine moths, though their wings are opaque Did you know?:Male Muslin Moths in Ireland have a creamy white colouration to their wings....
Latin name: Ourapteryx sambucaria Distribution: Throughout UK, though scarcer in Northern Scotland Size: Large Identification: Broad wings with a pale uniform yellow colour, intersected by diagonal dark lines. Hindwings have short tails. Did you know?:The species is hard to encounter without a light trap. The adults have a short flight period and a...
Latin name: Colotois pennaria Distribution: Throughout UK Size: Medium Identification: Rests with wings flat apart. Wings are a reddish brown with a pink hue and have a slightly hooked tip on the forewing. They fly very late in the year which can help with distinguishing from similar species. Did you know?:Their common name is derived from the larg...
- Harry Drew
Sep 24, 2022 · Types of Moths — Names, Pictures, and Identification Guide. Let’s look in detail at how to identify some of the coolest moths that come out and start feeding after dusk. Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda)
Our moth guide looks at how to identify UK species, trapping and the best plants for attracting moths to your garden.
People also ask
How many types of moths are there in the UK?
What is a moth painting?
What does a moth look like?
How do you identify a hawk moth?
What is a peppered moth?
What colors do moths have?
What moth have I found? With around 2,500 species of moth in the UK, there's an amazing amount of diversity to be discovered! Moths don't just come out at night. Some species fly during the day, especially on warm and sunny days. There are actually very few differences between moths and butterflies and they all belong to one group - Lepidoptera.
