Moths I had never seen before have appeared in my garden

…just read that they’re non toxic to dogs…

Desdemona

MayBee70

Problem with cinnabar moths is that they rely totally on ragwort so there is an ongoing dialogue between anyone that has or has ever owned a horse and people that think ragwort needs to be protected for the sake of the moths. It’s a difficult balance.

Anyone with ragwort on their property who doesn't own a horse should be ok? I leave ragwort when it grows but I live in a suburban street nowhere near horses - if you lived near a horses field I suppose it might be different - does the seed travel and potentially harm a horse if they ingest it?

It spreads everywhere. You have to wear gloves if you dig it out. I think horses will eat around it but it gets into any hay that’s cut for winter. I’m a bit worried at the moment because my dog keeps eating something that’s in the grass and it might be the catkins falling off a nearby silver birch.

MayBee70

Problem with cinnabar moths is that they rely totally on ragwort so there is an ongoing dialogue between anyone that has or has ever owned a horse and people that think ragwort needs to be protected for the sake of the moths. It’s a difficult balance.

Anyone with ragwort on their property who doesn't own a horse should be ok? I leave ragwort when it grows but I live in a suburban street nowhere near horses - if you lived near a horses field I suppose it might be different - does the seed travel and potentially harm a horse if they ingest it?

I’ve had an extraordinary number of painted lady butterflies in my garden this year - we usually only get a few. I understand that, every ten years or so, good winds and warm weather cause them to migrate North from Africa in huge numbers. This is obviously one of those years!

I love butterflues and moths .

Alas the moth in my kitchen did end up drowning in the washing up bowl . I really thought that it had found its way outside ( I kept turning off the light in the kitchen and turning on the light in the utility room with the back door open).

Wandering around the garden just now, and nearly tried on a small elephant moth caterpillar. It was busily walking along a paved area, and I think almost certainly looking for somewhere to pupate.

Good luck!

I’ve just ordered ladies bedstraw seed, to sow now for early next summer.

Wow!! Such lovely moth photos- thankyou.

Ktsmum

Box Tree moth, never seemln before or since

I had one of those in my living room about 5 years ago and thought it was rather lovely. Then I found out what it was and didn't like it so much.

BlueBelle

Here it is

That's really nice. I don't think I've met one of them.

I too spotted the Tiger Moth for the first time ever last week. Then yesterday, another one turned up. Apparently it's due to Global Warming, they used to be seen only in Jersey from what I've been told, but we're now seeing them in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, & Hampshire, so they're presumably travelling further North as things hot up. I wasn't sure after seeing the second one whether it was a moth or a butterfly, as when it flew off, it opened it's wings and they are a beautiful orange red, making it look more butterfly than moth.

We’ve been lucky enough to have plenty of butterflies and the hummingbird moth , who loves the lavender.
Someone mentioned not seeing or hearing grasshoppers for a while……on holiday a few years ago our grandchildren were looking for and finding the large green bush cricket( Sennen cove) and saying ….listen to their noise. Both my husband and myself, alarmingly , could hear nothing .. ,thought they were joking with us. Only to Google and find out that after a certain age it’s normal not to hear them 😳
Made us feel very old.

I’ve seen more Hummingbird Hawk Moths in my garden this year than in the preceding 28 years.
Amazing creatures.

We've seen loads of different butterflies and moths this year, far more than usual, We've been seeing Jersey Tiger moths for several years.

Went for a walk a few days ago and was chuffed with the amount of butterflies we saw. Up in numbers greatly from previous years.
Also chanced to see a grasshopper sunning itself on a rock. Equally as chuffed because I haven’t seen one or even heard that unique sound that they used to make so prolifically in the days of my idyllic childhood.

Aely.......many years ago when me and Daughter fell out a moth came into my porch and took refuge on the wall. I had never seen one like it, it was very big and refused to move, stayed there for seeks and I despaired of ever seeing Daughter again. One day the Moth left and the same day Daughter showed up. Never seen another Moth like it. I'm very much onto folklore and wondered if this moth was an omen.

I disturbed a Buddleia bush a couple of days ago It is a long while since I saw so many butterflies rise up

It's definitely a good year for years. I too, have had plently of humming bird moths on my valerian, a couple of Jersey Tiger moths and a single cinnabar moth which I had a bad reaction with. I know they don't bite or sting but I was watching it sitting on my arm when I suddenly felt what seemed like a very intense stinging sensation. Apparently they can transfer the juice of the ragwort which they feed to your skin, 3-4 weeks later there is a scar from where it sat. Needless to say I've gone off them even if they are pretty.

The box tree moth was laying eggs on my five little round box trees and their caterpillars munched their way through the lot before I even noticed!!

I have seen a lovely range of butterflies on my allotment but the only moths I have seen so far are the boring little brown ones that eat wool.

Box Tree moth, never seemln before or since

We were thrilled to see cinnabar caterpillars last year after many years absence. A friend said they called them Cuthberts. Unfortunately no Cuthberts again this year.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202607/medium-8g4nk9-pxl-20260710-125454691.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202607/medium-7g1fw2-pxl-20260728-100339557.jpg

We have had quite a few moths and butterflies this year. I have just seen my first Jersey Tiger moth which was really beautiful. We have also had Elephant Hawk moths which are very large and a tan and pink colour, and have just seen a Hummingbird Hawk moth around the salvia plants we have.

I’ve just rescued a Jersey Tiger moth from my house.

It’s the second time in two days and although it’s lovely to look at I’d rather it wasn’t flapping madly against the window!