At Mersehead, we have two staff cottages with both the Warden and Assistant Warden living on the reserve. We are going to try and keep you updated on the wonderful wildlife we see at Mersehead during our daily walks.
Mersehead Moments: Moth of the Week
Some of the most colourful, beautiful and bizarrely named creatures come out at night while we are all fast asleep. With around 2,500 species of moth recorded in the UK, they outnumber the much-loved butterflies by 43 to 1.
The lure of the moth to the flame has long been a scientific mystery. Being primarily nocturnal insects, it is believed that moths evolved to travel by the glimmer of the moon, a method called transverse orientation. Transverse orientation is the process which enables insects to fly in a straight line by keeping a constant angle relative to a distant light source. Unnatural light can change the angle, causing a moth to spiral towards the source. Moth traps use this theory to temporarily catch these amazing insects using a lightbulb allowing us to see what’s about at night.
Robinson Moth Trap. Photo credit: Roseanne Watts
You do not need expensive equipment to explore the amazing world of moths in your garden, just hang up a bedsheet! A white sheet illuminated by a bright light will provide a dazzling canvas that moths can’t resist.
Photo credit: Nick Cunard (rspb-images.com)
So, during moth of the week, we are going to explore some of the amazing moths that are on the wing and could be lurking at the bottom of your garden. Occurring in any habitat, the Hebrew Character is common across the whole of the UK and comes to light in large numbers. Its name derives from the distinctive black mark on the forewing as it looks like a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Flying at night throughout March and April, this is an easily identifiable moth to get you started.
Hebrew Character. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
Another unmistakable moth in the early spring is the Oak Beauty which will be on the wing until late April. Although found primarily in mature oak woodland, moths can turn up all over the place. The photograph below was taken in my garden at Mersehead last week, where although there are a few oak trees on the reserve, there is certainly not a mature oak woodland. The name of a moth will often derive from the caterpillar. In this case, the caterpillar feeds on oak trees but confusingly also feeds on many other trees including hazel, aspen and sallow.
Oak Beauty. Photo credit: R.Flavelle
So why not dig out a torch and an old bedsheet and find out what nocturnal insects call your garden home? As the nights grow warmer, more and more moths will be on the wing. Each species has a flight season so new moths to identify will keep appearing.
Rowena Flavelle, Warden