Day-flying moths

Mouse over links for pictures; click for detail page.

Day-flying moths fall into two main groups: migrants that fly here from the south (and are skilful enough fliers to avoid getting eaten by predators) and those that are poisonous (and therefore are avoided by predators).

The immigrants include the silver-y moth, that flies over from France in large numbers every year, and the humming-bird hawkmoth, a few of which turn up along the south coast most years.

Burnet moths and cinnabar moths are widespread grassland species. Both are brightly coloured to warn potential predators that they are poisonous. After all, being poisonous does you no good if predators only find this out after they have eaten you.

The emperor moth is an exception in that it is neither poisonous nor an immigrant. Only the male flies by day, covering large distances in search of females.


© unknown