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Moths in and around Alphington's lanes

Wildlife in Alphington

By Rowena Jay

Tiger Moths

Family Arctiidae:  Most brightly coloured and very hairy to warn birds that they do not taste nice. The adults do not feed very often. Most of the caterpillars are also very hairy and pupate in cocoons that are made largely from these hairs.

Garden Tiger (Arctia caja). 50-80mm
These moths are not often seen as they fly at nights. No two Garden Tiger moths look exactly the same as regards size and colouration. On the forewings the size and shape of the dark markings vary widely and the colour of the hind wing may be red, crimson, yellow or orange. Their caterpillars are covered in hairs hence they are given the name "Woolly Bears". Their dense "fur coat" is made from long black hairs with white tips and shorter brown hairs. They feed on a large variety of low growing plants and reach up to 60mm in length.

Hawkmoths Family Sphingidae

They are fast flying have stout bodies and their front wings are relatively narrow and pointed. Some do not feed as adults while others in this family have long tongues, which they can plunge deep into flowers.

Privet hawk moth (Sphina ligustri). 100-120mm.
This is Britain's largest resident mother and flies between June and July. Like the winged monster in Greek methology this moth closes it wings over its body when resting hence the scientific name of "Sphinx". They have brownish front wings and pink bands on the hind wings. Their caterpillars are bright green with purple and white stripes and a black horn. They feed on privet, ash and lilac during July to September and reach up to 75mm in length.

Humming-bird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarium). 50mm.
A migrant from the South of France this moth can be seen during the Summer months. It is a day-flying moth and can be seen feeding at flowers hovering just like a Humming bird. Its wings can hardly be seen because they are beating at such a high speed when hovering. They also have a very long tongue to insert into the flowers. Some moths can hibernate here in the South West so you could see them as early as February or March. Their caterpillars are green or brown with white spots and can grow up to 60mm.

Back to wildlife and flora in Alphington's lanes and along the Exeter Canal.