Scarborough Field Naturalists’ Society
With
Scarborough Wildlife
Common Macro Moths -
This page shows the commonest macro moths recorded in Yorkshire in December. The photos are not intended to be used for identification purposes, but may be helpful in deciding where to start looking in your favourite moth book (eg 'Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland' by Waring, Townsend and Lewington). Remember that many of the moths are quite variable in appearance, so don't just look for an exact match. Click on any of the photos below to see larger versions. You will probably want to take a look at the UKMoths website and also the Yorkshire branch of Butterfly Conservation (see the 'Galleries' section) for photos of moths which are not shown here (and more photos of the ones which are).
If you have better photos of any of the moths on this page, and are happy for them
to be used here, then please email them to info@scarboroughwildlife.org.uk . Remember
that photos should show the main features used in identifying the moth and be of
a 'standard' specimen rather than an unusual form (eg not a melanistic form) -
Many thanks to Charlie Fletcher and the Yorkshire Moth Group for putting together the list in the first place, and for allowing it to be used here.
Operophtera brumata
Winter Moth
Concise Guide: P40
Erannis defoliaria
Mottled Umber
Concise Guide: P62
Poecilocampa populi
December Moth
Concise Guide: P14
Conistra vaccinii
Chestnut
Concise Guide: P122
Conistra ligula
Dark Chestnut
Concise Guide: P122
Agriopis aurantiaria
Scarce Umber
Concise Guide: P62
Mamestra brassicae
Cabbage Moth
Concise Guide: P108
Operophtera fagata
Northern Winter Moth
Concise Guide: P40
Phlogophora meticulosa
Angle Shades
Concise Guide: P128
Phigalia pilosaria
Pale Brindled Beauty
Concise Guide: P60
Colotois pennaria
Feathered Thorn
Concise Guide: P58
Eupsilia transversa
Satellite
Concise Guide: P122
Chloroclysta siterata
Red-
Concise Guide: P34
Autographa gamma
Silver Y
Concise Guide: P146
Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-
Concise Guide: P118
Noctua pronuba
Large Yellow Underwing
Concise Guide: P102
Scoliopteryx libatrix
Herald
Concise Guide: P150
Orthosia cerasi
Common Quaker
Concise Guide: P112
Agrochola macilenta
Yellow-
Concise Guide: P122
Theria primaria
Early Moth
Concise Guide: P72
Lithophane semibrunnea
Tawny Pinion
Concise Guide: P118
Epirrita dilutata agg.
November Moth agg.
Concise Guide: P40
Epirrita dilutata
November Moth
Concise Guide: P40
Thera britannica
Spruce Carpet
Concise Guide: P34
Spodoptera exigua
Small Mottled Willow
Concise Guide: P140