Wall (Lasiommata megera)

OTHER NAMES: Wall Brown

Latin Etymology: Lasiommata ("hairy eyes") megera (named after one of the Erinyes)

Adult Wall (subspecies L. m. megera) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Lasiommata megera megera
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 44-46mm
UK Status: Near Threatened / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Wall is widespread throughout Europe and Asia and found in a wide variety of habitats, it seems to be found in heath and moor sorts of habitats, along with a selection of others.  A fairly large butterfly, the number of eyespots on it is quite distinctive.  It's name comes from it's habit of basking on hard surfaces like walls.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Lasiommata
SUBSPECIES: L. m. megera, L. m. vividissima, L. m. megerina, L. m. transcaspica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A localised resident.

 - Seen on Trevose Head

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)

OTHER NAMES: Dark Clouded Yellow, Clouded Yellow

Latin Etymology: Colias (named after goddess Kōlias) croceus ("yellow/golden")

Adult Common Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus - unknown subspecies) at Donana, Spain - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: unknown
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 52-62mm

UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Common Clouded Yellow is one of the two large bright yellow butterflies found regularly in the UK along with the more greenish Brimstone.  It is fairly scarce in Britain, but is more common in Europe, and I found several around Donana in Southern Spain at a point in the year where only a few butterflies remained. 

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Colias
SUBSPECIES: C. c. chinensis, C. c. cremonae, C. c. edusina, C. c. helice

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An uncommon scarce annual migrant.

 - Butterflies seen at sites including The Lizard and Oare Marshes.

SPAIN - Common to locally abundant resident in appropriate habitat.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Seen near El Rocio

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Callophrys (Beautiful eyebrows) rubi ("bramble")

Adult Green Hairstreak (subspecies C. r. rubi) at Cliffe Pools, Kent - March 2014

Featured Subspecies: Callophyys rubi rubi

Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 28mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Green Hairstreak is a very attractive butterfly, most obviously distinct from the fact that its underwings are a vivid green.  It is found on Bird's foot trefoil but will rest upon small shrubs to sun itself, such as small hawthorn bushes.  It never opens its wings while resting as the green colour is part of its camoflage.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Callophrys 
SUBSPECIES: C. r. rubi, C. r. fervida, C. r. borealis, C. r. sibirica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A localised resident

 - Seen in Geddington, Cliffe Pools and Brigstock, 

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

OTHER NAMES: Dingy Grass-Skipper

Latin Etymology: Erynnis (?) tages (after an Etruscan deity)

Adult Dingy Skipper (subspecies E. t. tages) at Brigstock, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Erynnis tages tages
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 29mm
UK Status: Vulnerable / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The skippers are a family of Butterflies which to the untrained may resemble moths, and the Dingy Skipper more than most due to its very drab appearances.  It is in decline in the UK and its distribution is wide but in patches rather than continuous.  They feed largely on Bird's-foot trefoil.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Erynnis
SUBSPECIES: E. t. tages, E. t. baynesi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen at sites including Brigstock

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria)

OTHER NAMES: The Drinker

Latin Etymology: Euthrix (?) potatoria (?)

Larval form of Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria - unknwon subspecies) at Rainham Marshes, London - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: ?
Wingspan: 45-65m
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The adult of the drinker moth is a fairly large round species which is almost entirely unfirmly brown.  As a caterpillar it can grow up to 6cm long and it is this form that gives it it's name - it allegedly drinks dew while in this form.  It also hibernates over its first Winter before eventually flying in July and August.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lasiocampidae
Genus: Euthrix
SUBSPECIES: E. p. askoldensis, E. p. bergmani, E. p. feminalis, E. p. potatoria 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident.

 - Seen at Rainham Marshes,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

OTHER NAMES: Cosmopolitan, Thistle Butterfly

Latin Etymology: Vanessa (from an Ancient Greek deity) cardui ("wild thistle" or "artichoke")

Adult Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 50mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Painted Lady is an unusual butterfly for the UK in that it is a long distance migrant, amazingly travelling to the Mediterranean and North Africa and back again.  It is a fairly attractive species, and tends to be widely if sparsely distributed, with some years being big influx years.  They are a very widely distributed species found on most continents.

 Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Vanessa
SUBSPECIES: N/A

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common Summer migrant species

 - Seen in Geddington and Trevose Head

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

OTHER NAMES: The Grizzle, Mr Dandridge's Dark Fritillary, Spotted Skipper

Latin Etymology: Pyrgus (?) malvae ("mallow plant")

Adult Grizzled Skipper (subspecies P. m. malvae) at Geddington, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Pyrgus malvae malvae
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 22-26mm
UK Status: Vulnerable / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Grizzled Skipper is another of the Moth-like Skipper families, and while slightly more patterned than the dingy skipper is another fairly drab species.  It is fairly small species, found in the same habitat as Dingy skipper upon Birdsfoot Trefoil.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Pyrgus
SUBSPECIES: P. m. kauffmanni, P. m. malvoides, P. m. modestior

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and local resident

 - Seen in Brigstock and numerous other sites 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .

Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Ourapteryx (?) sambucaria (?)

Adult Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria - unknown subspecies) at Geddington, Northants - June 2009

Featured Subspecies: ?
Wingspan: 40-50mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A distinctive looking moth that is fairly common in the UK, the larvae is found on shrubs, elder, hawthorn, honeysuckle and ivy. The name comes from the distinctive projections on the back of the wings which are vaguely remeniscent of  the tails of a swallow. Their flight time is between June and August and they primarily fly at night.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Geometridae 
Genus: Ourapteryx 
SUBSPECIES: - unclear - 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Small Grass Emerald (Chlorissa viridata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Chlorissa ("?") viridata ("green")

Adult Small Grass Emerald (subspecies C. v. melinaria) at Geddington, Northants - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: Chlorissa viridata melinaria
Wingspan: 24-27mm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A scarce and local species, the Small Grass Emerald is mostly restricted to the South of England where it is found in moorland habitats suitable for it's foodplants of heather and birch.  This moth had flown into our house one night, which is a little odd as as far as I can find out we are out of the normal range for this moth.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Geometridae 
Genus: Chlorissa
SUBSPECIES: C. v. virdata, C. v. melinaria, C. v. insigniata

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

OTHER NAMES: Winter Cutworm, European Yellow Underwing

Latin Etymology: Noctua ("night bird") pronuba ("maid of honour")

Adult Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) at Geddington, Northants - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Wingspan: 50-60mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

One of the most common large moths within it's range, the large yellow underwing is a species which feeds on grasses and various herbaceous vegetation.  Originally a native of Eurasia, it has accidentally been introduced to North America where it is now a potentially destructive invasive species which can occur in what is described as "massive, epidemic outbreak numbers" in suitable habitats.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Noctuidae 
Genus: Noctua 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata)

OTHER NAMES: The Magpie

Featured Subspecies: Abraxas (a type of ancient medieval amulet) grossulariata (?)

Adult Magpie Moth (subspecies A. g. grossulariata) at Geddington, Northants - August 2016

Featured Subspecies: Abraxas grossulariata grossulariata
Wingspan: 35-40mm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A distinctive moth of North America and the Northern Palearctic, it is a fairly common species in the UK.  Unusually for butterflies and moths, the catepillar of this species actually has a similar colour scheme to the adult.  They feed on current and gooseberry bushes as a catepillars and as such can be seen as pest be people who cultivate them.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Geometridae 
Genus: Abraxas 
SUBSPECIES: A. g. grossulariata, A. g. karafutonis, A. g. conspurcata, A. g. dsungarica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata)

OTHER NAMES: Chimney Sweeper Moth, Chimney Sweep

Latin Etymology: Odezia (?) atrata (?)

Adult Chimney Sweeper (subspecies O. a. atrata) at Geddington, Northants - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: O. a. atrata
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 23-27mm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A small distinctive species of moth that is day flying - particularly in bright sunshine - yet almost entirely black except for the fringes of it's forewings.  It inhabits grassy meadows, especially in chalky or limestone based areas. It has only a single generation per year flying in June and July.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Geometridae 
Genus: Odezia 
SUBSPECIES: O. a. atrata, O. a. meridionalis, O. a. pyrenaica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa zampa)

OTHER NAMES: Laos Brown Butterfly

Latin Etymology: Lyssa (?) zampa ("paw")

Adult Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa zampa - unknown subspecies) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: ?
Wingspan: 100mm-160mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A colossal species of moth, vastly larger than any species in the UK to the point where it is larger than many birds in it's range.  The tropical swallowtail moth is a species that as a larvae feeds on plants from the rubber tree family.  It is often seen in cities as it is attracted by the lights at night, and indeed this species flew out of a flowerbed in a heavily managed garden beneath the Petronas Towers.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Uraniidae 
Genus: Lyssa 
SUBSPECIES: L. z. dilutus, L. z. docile, L. z. najabula

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Fairly common in Kuala Lumpur

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Tufted Jungleking (Thauria aliris)

OTHER NAMES: Tufted Jungle King

Latin Etymology: Thauria (?) aliris ("approach")

Adult Tufted Jungleking (subspecies T. a. pseudaliris) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Thauria aliris pseudaliris
Wingspan: 110-120mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A huge species of butterfly found in South East Asia, the Tufted Jungleking has camoflaged outer wings for when feeding amongst the leaf litter, but it's upper wings possess bright blue-whute stripes which it can flash at predators to startle them.  It feeds on fermented sugars of fallen fruits, and apparently can even get drunk on them.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Thauria
SUBSPECIES: T. a. aliris, T. a. intermedia, T. a. merguia, T. a. pseudaliris
 
- Sighting Locations -
MALAYSIA - A widespread but local resident.
 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: One seen at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Euploea (?) mulciber (an alternate name for Hephaestus/Vulcan)

Adult male Striped Blue Crow (subspecies E. m. mulciber) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Euploea mulciber mulciber
Wingspan: 80-90mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large species of butterflies from the brush-footed butterfly family and the most common species of it's family in Singapore and presumably Malaysia by extension.  It has a wide number of host plants and can be found in varied habitats.  As a catepillar it uses its silk to secure parts of the leaves together so it can eat parts of the leaves further on from where it has already eaten.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Euploea
SUBSPECIES: E. m. awayuki, E. m. azagra, E. m. babina, E. m. barsine, E. m. basilissa, E. m. batunensis, E. m. cebuensis, E. m. bazilana, E. m. claudia, E. m. dinagatensis, E. m. donada, E. m. dongo, E. m. duarseri, E. m. dufresne, E. m. elwesii, E. m. gelderi, E. m. kalinga, E. m. kochi, E. m. maassi, E. m. malakoni, E. m. masbatensis, E. m. mindanensis, E. m. mulciber, E. m. paupera, E. m. phoebadis, E. m. portia, E. m. semperi, E. m. seraphita, E. m. subvisaya, E. m. ticoana, E. m. triggia, E. m. vandeventeri, E. m. verhuelli, E. m. visaya  

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A widespread but local resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)

OTHER NAMES: Large Skipper Butterfly

Latin Etymology: Ochlodes (?) sylvanus ("woods")

Adult female Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) at Geddington, Northants - July 2010

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Wingspan: 29-36mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

As the name suggests, the largest of the species of skipper found in the UK.  It is differentiated from the Small and Essex Skippers by the slight patterning on the wings.  This species is currently extending it's range Northwards.  They often perch on prominant leaves in a sunny position at the edge of taller and shorter vegetation.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Thymelicus 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdGuides,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .