Micro Moths

There is a wide range of moth species largely overlooked even by some moth enthusiasts, I have counted myself in this group, these are collectively known as the micro moths. This page is intended to focus my attention onto this group and to ultimately provide a resource to allow the identification of say the most regular 30 to 40 species that are found in my and therefore other gardens. This is a more difficult group of species to identify than the larger 'macro' moths, due to the lack of accessible field guides, the number of potential species, approaching 2000 in Britain and their generally smaller size. Also a significant number of micro moth species do not have an english name and this alone can be a discouragement to learning more about them. However on closer inspection some micro moths can be surprisingly distinctive and therefore identifiable. One puzzling aspect of the micro moths is that despite the additional species occuring and the likely extra individuals present on most nights the macro moth species seriously out number them at the light trap. This is perhaps another reason why they are possibly overlooked and under recorded.
For convenience I have chosen to split the micros up into 4 categories, this may not fit with the scientific order but to me it makes them easier to deal with.

The groups are as follows:-

The Pyralids - This is a varied group of moths with around 200 moth species found in Britain. Some of the species included are in fact larger than some macro moths and probably as a result of this also have english names. Fortunately this group also has a field guide available, BRITISH PYRALID MOTHS - A GUIDE TO THEIR IDENTICATION by Barry Goater. The Pyralids include the Grass-Veneers, small very slim moths often disturbed from long grass during the summer, and a range of pretty purple and gold moths sometimes seen flying during the day.

The Plume Moths - A relatively small but distinctive group of moths. They have wings made up of filaments which are generally rolled up when the moth is at rest and form a characteristic 'T' shape. They also tend to come into houses in the summer so many people will have seen one probably without realising it is a moth.

Tortrix moths - A group of small moths that resemble a bell shape when a rest. Some are quite colourful so can be readily identified. Tortrix moths are sometimes called leaf-rollers because the larvae live in rolled up leaves which they join the edges together with silk.

Other Micros - Any micro moth that doesn't fit into the other categories such as the small ermines.

Included with each photo is the scientific name, the english name 'where available and if known' and the month recorded. Flight period can be an important aid to identification for similar looking species. This library will continue to grow and will take at least a year to cover all the seasons and be anywhere near complete.

GORDANO MOTHS - MICRO MOTHS

GORDANO MOTHS - MICRO MOTHS

GORDANO MOTHS - MICRO MOTHS