Merveille du Jour. Photo: Paul Harris

Another gorgeous moth, Merveille du Jour, photographed by Paul in his garden at Weymouth on 11/10/17.

Paul says that this moth was clinging to a garden chair rather than going in the moth trap. Luckily he spotted it! Moth enthusiasts are always very observant, searching around plants and other paraphernalia  that surrounds their traps for some extra species. Unfortunately for the moths, birds tend to do the same, adding new meaning to “an early bird catches the worm!”

This is beautifully and uniquely marked moth is a joy to see, and can be found from September-October, comes to light and can be found feeding on Ivy flowers and overripe berries.

It is resident and is found in broadleaved woodland, parkland hedgerows and gardens, though not generally urban centres.

Overwinters as an egg, the caterpillar appears April-June, feeding at first inside an opening bud of its foodplant, Penunculate Oak, but when larger, only feeding at night. It then constructs a strong underground cocoon close to the base of the tree, pupating several weeks later.

Another example of moths beings as beautiful as butterflies, certainly not brown and boring .