Moths
 
Many people think that moths consist of small brown insects which always seem to buzz around the lights just at an annoying moment, they are often as an unwanted pain.  Generally the public like to see butterflies and  welcome them into their gardens.  But many people have the exact opposite feeling for moths and for some reason many people don't like moths at all.
The view that moths are just brown insects could not be further from the truth.  Yes, some moths are brown, and I admit that some of the brown moths may not be the most colourful of our insects.  But some moths have some lovely colours, just look at the Garden Tiger moth below....
 
There are about 2500 different moth species recorded in Britain, some of them migratory, and many moths are blown across from Europe into Britain each autumn.  With around 2500 different species to choose from there are some strikingly coloured moths, some of which have some very interesting markings and patterns.  One of the problems with moths is the actual species identification with many similar species, it is often hard to get a positive id.  Even the larger moths which are called macro moths, of which there are about 800, it can be tricky.  I find it's often worth taking a set of photographs from a few angles and trying to identify them at home.  There are some very good online resources available which obviously helps along with a few friends who know a lot more and I am grateful for their identification help.
 
 
above Garden Tiger Moth - below Angleshades
 
 
 
above Elephant Hawk Moth - below Ruby Tiger Moth
 
 
below Red Clearwing