It was nice to notice a moth last week after a long absence, especially as Moth Night was held between 8-10th July in 2021. Each year Atropos, the Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology organise a citizen science moth recording event while celebrating these wonderful beautiful creatures. More information on Moth night can be found at Moth night.
With a wingspan of 18-25 mm, the moth I saw on Tuesday was a Garden carpet moth (Xanthorhoe fluctuata).
This common moth can be found from April to September, in many areas of the UK but particularly in gardens and allotments. Although this moth flies during the night, as with my sighting last week, they can be discovered at rest on buildings during the day.
The caterpillars of the Garden carpet will eat through Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Shepherd’s-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), wild Horse-radish (Armoracia rusticana), Hairy Bitter-cress (Cardamine hirsuta) along with cultivated cabbages amongst other plants.
A useful moth ID app that I use a lot is ‘What’s Flying tonight’ produced by the Butterfly Conservation, UK moths and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Bee in the Moment 