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  • Group Moths
    Sub-group Moths 416-478: Tigers, Ermine and Footmen
    Description

    Striking moths, brightly coloured and that acts as a warning to preditors as most of this family are poisonous!
    Book Refererence Moths: Night Flying, Moths: Day Flying

    These are the species in this species sub-group featured on the Nature of Dorset:

    Click/tap any species photo to see details of that species. If you want to read through the information on members of this group then click on the 'book' title.

    Spotted Shoot Moth

    Rhyacionia pinivorana
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Associated with scots pine and so quite common in the Poole basin although not often seen 

     

    Photo by:
    Mark Andrews

    Kent Black Arches

    Meganola albula
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Although called the Kent dark arches this moth is found all along the south coast as far west as Devon and it is believed that its range may be extending

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Scarce Silver-lines

    Bena bicolorana
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Mainly a woodland species and not often found in garden moth traps.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Mark Andrews

    Green Silver-lines

    Pseudoips prasinana
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A declining species of woodland and scrubby areas.

     

     

    Photo by:
    John Gifford

    Oak Nycteoline

    Nycteola revayana
    Click species photo for details of this species:

     

    A small and variable moth who are associated with oaks and woodland habitats

     

    Photo by:
    John Gifford

    Cream-bordered Green Pea Moth

    Earias clorana
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Widespread and quite common in southern England

     

     

    Photo by:
    Phil Sterling

    Snout Moth

    Hypena proboscidalis
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A common nocturnal moth rarely seen by day unless disturbed.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Bloxworth Snout

    Hypena obsitalis
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A scarce species that has recently colonised the south coast of England.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Mike Hetherington

    Beautilful Snout

    Hypena crassalis
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A widespread species in Britain with numbers often boosted in the south by migration.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Marcus Lawson

    Black Arches

    Lymantria monacha
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    This attractive moth, quite common in August, is mainly a species of woodland and may be found asleep by day on oak tree trunks

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Brown-tail

    Euproctis chrysorrhoea
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    The caterpillars of this species are well known for causing skin iritations if handled; it is a very common species in coastal areas of Dorset

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Pale Tussock

    Calliteara pudibunda
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    This is a widespread and common moth flying in May and June but is a nocturnal species and is unlikely to be seen outside of a moth trap

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Vapourer Moth

    Orgyia antiqua
    Click species photo for details of this species:

     

    Although the male flies by day in late summer the caterpillar seems to be more often seen

     

    Photo by:
    Pam Parsons

    Buff Ermine

    Spilosoma luteum
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Widespread and common flying as an adult in May through to July; its larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous wild flowers and shrubs

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    White Ermine

    Spilosoma lubricipeda
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A widespread and common species throughout the British Isles, flying from late May until July with occasionally a second brood here in Dorset

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Muslin Moth

    Diaphora mendica
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Flying in May and early June males are frequent visitors to moth traps but the females are rarely seen

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Ruby Tiger

    Phragmatobia fuliginosa
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Occasionally seen by day but mainly a nocturnal this species that likes open habitat with bushes and scrub

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Cream-spot Tiger

    Arctia villica
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Flying from mid-May to July this is a species that can easily be disturbed and seen during the day.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Garden Tiger

    Arctia caja
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A common species near the coast and is widespread occurring in all sorts of habitat and is quite at home in gardens and parkland

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Scarlet Tiger

    Callimorpha dominula
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A day flying moth of river banks, water meadows, marshy areas and sea cliffs. A local species but common where it occurs.

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Jersey Tiger

    Euplagia quadripunctaria
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    So called because it is a very common species in the Channel Islands it now occurs on the south coast of England in gardens and parks in seaside towns

     

     

    Photo by:
    Portland Bird Observatory

    Cinnabar Moth

    Tyria jacobaeae
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A frequently disturbed red and black moth that feeds on ragwort

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Crimson Speckled Moth

    Utetheisa pulchella
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A rare migrant species originating in Mediterranean areas.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Ben Ranger

    Rosy Footman

    Miltochrista miniata
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Primarily nocturnal but can be seen by day in woodlands and along mature hedgerows.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Four-dotted Footman

    Lithosia quadra
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A coastal and woodland species with numbers often boosted by immigration

     

    Photo by:
    Mike Hetherington

    Buff Footman

    Eilema depressa
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A fairly common nocturnal species where there are mature trees nearby.

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Common Footman

    Eilema lurideola
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    Flies in July and August and is widespread and common throughout Dorset although rarely seen by day; its larvae tend to feed on lichens growing on trees, fences and rocks

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard

    Orange Footman

    Eileme sororcula
    Click species photo for details of this species:

    A species of central southern England and so is quite common here in Dorset but rarely seen by day; its larvae feed on lichen, especially lichens on trees 

     

     

    Photo by:
    Peter Orchard