Page 37 - RR-Issue-One

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Magical Moths Like butterflies, the wings of
moths are covered with thou-
sands of tiny, overlapping scales,
and it is the combination of pig-
Have you ever wondered about the difference between butterflies and moths? ments in these scales that form
The answer may surprise you: virtually nothing. They are all members of the the patterns and colours that you
scientific order Lepidoptera, and in fact if you were to study their systematic see. A number of species sport
sequence of classification (known as taxonomy), butterflies are sandwiched metallic markings, formed by
somewhere in the middle of moths. groups of scales that reflect the
light in different sheens. Often
their evocative names will de-
scribe this phenomenon. Bur-
nished Brass, Gold Spot, Beautiful
Butterflies have long been Golden Y and Gold Spangle are all
more popular with the public species regularly encountered in
than moths, but this is largely Gold Spot the Rochdale area.
due to misunderstandings and
myths. Britain’s butterflies Moths were just as popular as
are all day-flyers, generally butterflies with Victorian collec-
quite colourful, and typically tors and some of their English
at large when the weather is names coined during this time
sunny (along with our disposi- Elephant Hawk Moth Rosy Footman reflect the romantic nature of
tions), so tend to remind us the period: Clifden Nonpareil,
of good times. Moths on the Argent & Sable, Merveille du
other hand seem to have de- Jour and Rosy Footman are just a
veloped a reputation for being few examples. Other names are
a nuisance or pest – they buzz more descriptive, either of their
around our lights at night, and appearance (Copper Underwing,
eat our clothes. Clouded Drab) or derived from
the food plant of the caterpillars
In fact, there are more day- (Tree-lichen Beauty, Chamomile
flying moths in Britain than Shark).
there are butterflies. Of the
2,600 or more species of Of the 2,500 or so British species,
Lepidoptera found in these a significant number are typically
islands, fewer than 70 are Cinnabar Swallow-Tailed Moth Puss Moth quite small, known as microlepi-
butterflies. There are many doptera (or ‘micros’ among devo-
beautiful and colourful moths tees). These are often some of the
that certainly rival the but- more attractive and interesting
terflies, with a wonderful Give a little thought to the amazing variety... of this magical and underrated group of insects species, but with some measuring
diversity of shapes, sizes and only a few millimetres in length,
patterns. require patience and dedication
Several species of green moths, The Elephant Hawk-moth is The Puss Moth gets its name Relying on its camouflage it will
collectively known as Emeralds, streamlined in pink and green. from its furry feline-like remain docile during the day and (and a strong hand lens!) to study.
Many of the more attractive A favourite group with enthusi-
species are quite common are frequent in the area, and It visits honeysuckle at night appearance and is one of our can be studied at close quarters. asts are the leaf-miners. These
in the Rochdale area. The none brighter than the Large for nectar during June and July, larger species. Resplendent in The caterpillar is harder to tiny moths have caterpillars that
Swallow-Tailed Moth is a stun- Emerald, a relatively frequent and later in the autumn the subtle whites and reticulated find, but is a remarkable beast; live entirely between the upper
ning example, with its chiffon species. caterpillars are often found in dark grey markings, it can bright green, and up to three and lower surface of a leaf, feed-
yellow papery wings and ‘tails’ gardens feeding on Fuchsia, sometimes be encountered inches long with two tail-like ing on the parenchyma between.
on the hind wings. Look out Some of the largest species are or on nearby waste ground on newly emerged on tree trunks appendages at the rear, from They form galleries, or ‘mines’
for it on warm July evenings, the Hawk-moths, and several of Rosebay Willhowherb. and fence posts in late spring which it can squirt formic acid as that twist and turn leaving a vis-
when it looks like a ghostly these occur quite regularly in local and summer. a defence mechanism. ible trail that is often diagnostic of
apparition in car headlights. gardens and parks. the species.