Mae’n hawdd peidio â gweld ein glöyn byw brodorol lleiaf i gyd, yn rhannol oherwydd ei faint a’i liw tywyll, ond yn rhannol hefyd oherwydd na ddeuwn o hyd iddo’n aml ond ar glytiau bach o laswelltir cysgodol lle mae ei unig blanhigyn bwyd, sef Meillion Melyn (Bysedd Mair), i’w weld yn tyfu.
The English name of the Twenty-plume Moth is something of a misnomer, as each wing is separated into 6 'plumes'. The scientific name is more accurate, meaning 'six-fingered'.
The only British member of its family, the moth is nocturnal and attracted to light.
Flight Times
Flies all-year-round.
Size and Family
-
Family – Alucitidae
-
Small Sized
- Wingspan Range – 14-16mm
Conservation Status
-
UK BAP: Not listed
-
Fairly common
The females of the Pale Brindled Beauty are completely wingless, or apterous, a feature which is often found in moths which emerge in the winter months.
This species shows marked melanism, the black form f. monacharia being commoner than the typical form in certain parts.
Flight Times
Males fly from January to March, searching for the females which have climbed up tree-trunks.
Size and Family
-
Family – Geometridae
-
Medium Sized
One of our more common winter moths, especially during mild spells, and can be found feeding at sallow blossom in early spring
Flight Season
Flies from September through to May.
Size and Family
- Family – Noctuidae
- Small Sized
- Wingspan Range – 28-36mm
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
Caterpillars feed on the foliage of a range of trees, including birch (Betula) and oak (Quercus).
The name 'Wax Moth' refers to the moth's lifestyle - it lives in beehives, where the larvae feed on the honeycomb. Adults can be attracted to light.
The males of this species have a distinctively concave outer edge to the forewing; the females are generally plainer in appearance with a less concave edge.
Flight Season
Flies between June and October.
Similar to other species and can be very difficult to separate on markings alone, especially as some show marked melanism.
Caterpillars can be found in late spring.
Flight Season
Flies from late September to November in one generation.
Size and Family
- Family – Geometridae
- Medium Sized
- Wingspan Range – 38-44mm
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
Caterpillars feed on a variety of trees and shrubs.
A Chestnut-brown or grey-brown moth with broad, round forewings. The central cross-band is relatively broad in the trailing half of the forewing, with no major indentation or scalloping. The single dark dash at the wing tip distinguishes it from similar species such as Juniper Carpet, which has several dark dashes near the tip and a scalloped central band.
The moth is unlikely to be seen far from Common Juniper.
Adults are attracted to light. Overwinters as small larvae. Larvae occur from September to early June; pupates among leaves or fallen needles of foodplant.
An elusive moth but can be found at rest on foodplants Ash and Wild Privet and flitting about after dark. Comes to light in small numbers.
A brown or blackish central crossband is diagnostic for this species, elbowed and divided in two in the leading half of the rounded, tapering forewing. There is little variation in this marking, but it can vary in intensity and width. Males have a small lobe on the hind wing.
Can be similar to Dark Crimson Underwing, but is usually smaller with a lighter and more variegated forewing.
Like most other British Catocala species, this moth can be attracted to light as well as sugar.
Flight Season
Flies between July and August.
Size and Family
- Family: Underwings
- Large Sized
- Wing Span Range (male to female) - 60-65mm
Caterpillar Food Plants
Caterpillars feed on Oak (Quercus)
Habitat
Oak woodland.
The Small Chocolate-tip occasionally flies in the daytime and can be found across a large part of Britain.
Flight Season
Flies between May and August in one or two generations.
Size and Family
- Family – Notodontidae
- Small Sized
- Wingspan Range – 22-27mm
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Local
Caterpillar Food Plants
Caterpillars feed on eared willow (Salix aurata), creeping willow (Salix repens), and similar trees.