Swift Moths – tonydavisonphotography.com

50.002 BF0161 – Leopard Moth – Cossidae – Zeuzerinae – Zeuzera pyrina

Leopard Moth – Cossidae – Zeuzerinae – Zeuzera pyrina – colour code • STATUS – A scarce species that is widely distributed throughout Derbyshire, apart from the extreme north and northwest of the county. Normally recored in ones or twos, never in numbers. ID POINTERS – The moth is diagnostic, having two rows of three black spots on a big white furry thorax. The wings are delicate almost transparent, white and covered in black, dalmatian like spots. The male has comb-like antennae. FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing June – September. IMAGES – Melbourne – Images by Tony […]

3.003 BF0018 – Map-winged Swift – Hepialidae – Korscheltellus fusconebulosa

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 […]

3.002 BF0017 – Common Swift – Hepialidae – Korscheltellus lupulina

Common Swift – Hepialidae – Korscheltellus lupulina – colour code • STATUS – A resident species that is widely distributed and common Derbyshire apart from the gritstone moorland & the high moors of the north. ID POINTERS – The moth is fairly straight forward to identify – The male has brightly marked streaks, spots & blotches that are distinctive across the forewings. These marks can be very variable and the wing colour can also vary from pale greys to pale browns. Some males can be completely plain in colour and markings. As with all the swifts the female is a […]

3.004 BF0016 – Gold Swift – Hepialidae – Phymatopus hecta

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, […]

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