The spectacular Elephant Hawk-moth is a relatively common moth in St Helens, and appears in my yard in most years. The Cinnabar is superficially very similar to the Burnet moth I photographed at the Orchid site a couple of days ago. The caterpillar of this species is the yellow and black one which decimates Ragwort. 
Buff Ermine and Beautiful Golden Y.
I photographed a Cinnabar moth at the side of Billinge hill on thursday and got a big horsefly bite for the trouble!
ReplyDeleteYes it's that time of year again. I was plagued by Horse flies at Martin Mere the other day.
ReplyDeleteAre there any other daytime flying moths im likely to see at the moment?
ReplyDeleteHi Colin,can you identify my burnet moth on flickr(collydog2).I thought it was a 5 spot but now im not sure and think it may be just a 6 spot!Do these moths usually have a greeny iridescent sheen?
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew, Narrow-bordered Five Spot in my opinion (Five spot has never been recorded in St Helens to my knowledge). I think that the spot in the middle is actually part of its underwing, which is the same colour as the spots.
ReplyDeleteThere are one or two carpets you might see, especially Shaded broad bar, which is a species which is often kicked up as you walk through grassland. If you know of any allotments, you may find Currant Clearwing around Currant bushes, but they are a most unmothlike moth so google them before you go looking!
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