Map-winged Swift – Hepialidae – Korscheltellus fusconebulosa – colour code • STATUS – a resident species that is widely distributed and common throughout Derbyshire. Can be abundant in woodlands in the south, fewer numbers in the north. Another species that associates itself with Bracken. ID POINTERS – The moth gets its name from the map-like markings on the forewing of the common form. In the form gallicus, the colour is more uniform, with less markings and a central white spot with another at the wing base. It is the only swift species that shows a chequered wing fringe and also […]

Gold Swift –Hepialidae – Phymatopus hecta – colour code •   STATUS – A resident species that is widely distributed and common in Derbyshire woods where Bracken is a predominant species of understorey cover.    ID POINTERS – The moth is fairly straight forward to identify – The male is brightly marked with distinctive reddish chestnut brown forewing intricately marked with gold spots & blotches that are distinctive across the forewings. The female is duller and less brightly marked with greyish/purplish bands across the forewings.   FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing mid-May – end July.   IMAGES – Melbourne, […]