Jun 102012
The following images show some of the day time moths we encountered during our Butterfly Holiday in Bulgaria – see also Trip to the Rhodope Mountains within this Blog.
All the Moths shown have been recorded in Britain as either migrants or residents.
IMAGES – No:1 & 2 – Feathered Footman – female Spiris striata – A striped thorax, wrap-round wings and bright orange underwings are the key ID features.
The males show very striped upper wings but the females upper wing is plain creamy buff. No:3 Black-veined Moth Siona lineata – Easily identified by the black veins running through the wings. In Britain found only in Kent. No:4 Four Spotted – Tyta luctuosa – In Britain found only on the island of Portland, otherwise suspected immigrant. In Bulgaria common and easily identified by the diagnostic white spots, 2 on the upper-wing on 2 on the hind wings. No:5 Small Argent & Sable – Epirrhoe tristata – In Britain this moth is common & well distributed. No:6 Small Grass Emerald – Chlorissa viridata – A nationally scarce species in Britain. The gold leading edge to the forewing and single cross-line on hind wing help to ID this moth. No:7 Speckled Yellow – Pseudopanthera macularia – Very common in Bulgaria and easily identified. A regular day time moth in Britain. No:8 Spotted Sulphur – Emmelia trabealis – A former resident in Britain, now presumed extinct, and a suspected immigrant. An extremely attractive and intricately marked moth an could easily be mistaken for a micro-moth.The patterning & markings are diagnostic.
Feathered Footman, female – Yerusalimovo
Feathered Footman, female – Yerusalimovo
Black-veined Moth – Chervanata Stena Reserve
Four Spotted – Arda Valley
Small Argent & Sable – Arda Valley
Small Grass Emerald – Chervenata Stena Reserve
Speckled Yellow – Chudnite Mostove
Spotted Sulphur – Arda Valley
