Jersey Tiger Moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria)

Image: © Rob Farrow Taken: 28 Aug 2010

This moth certainly draws attention to itself, which is why I noticed it even out of the corner of my eye. It is seen here feeding on Buddleia in the back garden of a house in Minehead. Its striped cream and brown forewings can be seen clearly here, while a trace of its bright orange hindwings can be glimpsed towards its rear. It was the bright orange flash of these underwings that first caught my attention. I was confused at first when I saw this moth as I didn't recognise it; it was only when my 12-year old daughter suggested it was a tiger moth that I remembered that as a child I had hatched tiger moths from pupae - and it was very similar ... but not quite the same. With a little research I discovered that rather than being the Garden Tiger (Cf Image]) that I knew, this stripier (as opposed to reticulated) species is the Jersey Tiger. Once restricted in range to the Channel islands, it is gradually extending its range northwards apparently, and I can confirm that it has certainly made it to North Somerset. Next stop South Wales presumably. [Edit] I next saw one of these moths almost precisely five years later Image] More information at British Moths site http://ukmoths.org.uk/species/euplagia-quadripunctaria

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