Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus

Caterpillars are herds of mini grazers turning vegetation into nutrients and building soils

Moths such as the stunning Burnished Brass are the key pollinators of many of our wild orchids, such as the Butterfly Orchid. The flowers have co-evolved with moths, giving of their greatest fragrance at night. The moths long proboscis is required to access the nectar, whilst to sepals required for pollination are perfectly located to attach to the head of the moth.

The Sallow Kitten is not overly rare, but it is a favourite of mine. It took me several years to find one and I still smile every time I find one

The wooded Glens of Antrim are very important for many moth species, including several rare species

One of our largest moths, the Eyed Hawk-moth in it’s normal resting pose is drab and and camouflaged against tree trunks. When it is threatened though, it exposes the large blue eyes on the hindwing. Sometimes it will wiggle it’s body and hindwings to further emphasis this defensive strategy. This species is present, though scarce in North Antrim.

The stunning caterpillar of the Chamomile Shark only feeds on a few plant species in North Antrim, but in particular Scentless Mayweed. This plant is primarily coastal, therefore so is the moth.

The Life Cycle of the Emperor Moth in North Antrim. From the female laying eggs, to the caterpillar, then pupating in a cocoon, to finally the male in flight.