I seem to be working backwards through my photos at the moment. We noticed this beautiful female Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria, aka Philudoria potatoria) on 25 July at the approach to the NT Wicken Fen Butterfly Trail. The moth is one of 9,175 species recorded at this nature reserve. Adult males are darker orange-brown in colour.
The Drinker is a night-flying moth. It is usually found in damp places. I believe the species is named after its hairy caterpillars which (supposedly) seek out dew drops on reeds or stalks of grass. A Cuckoo will eat these caterpillars, but other birds apparently leave them alone.
And before I complete this post with a photo of the Wicken windpump, I just want to draw your attention to Moth Night (see Twitter: #MothNight), which lasts for three nights in some strange way, and begins on 10 September 2015. This year's Moth Night theme is 'Migration'.
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| The iconic Wicken Fen wind pump |
Hello Caroline, it is a pretty moth! Neat view of the windmill. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeletelovely photos of the drinker moth, Caroline!
ReplyDeleteWas outside last night, listening to a tremendously loud fluttering coming from a large moth or bat somewhere. Couldn't pin it down.
ReplyDeleteThank you to all ... and speaking of fluttering, we definitely had a large bat in the garden (though i couldn't hear it).
ReplyDeleteLovely moth and great photos - have never seen of these so good to see your pictures :)
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