Northern/Oak Eggar (was - Moth ID please)

fiacha

Hi folks,

I've had a look through some of the threads but couldn't find anything similar.
This moth was out on the garden wall this morning being eyed up by an over confident robin !


From bottom left of wing to top of head is 40mm.

I have since moved it into the sweetpea patch, where it has remained stationary.

Could anyone tell me what species it is please ?

Thanks,
A.

V_Moth

I think this might be Northern/Oak Eggar, but not 100% as I haven't sen the species myself. Some info on Northern/Oak Eggar here:

http://www.mothsireland.com/species/1637.htm

Mothman

V Moth is correct, a female.
Females fly at night and males during the day. If she is a virgin female, then a male or more may find her before night.

fiacha

Thanks folks. It seems to be a great year for moths in my garden.

I'm going to hit amazon for a field guide and start logging them I think. Amazing looking creatures.

Mothman

The guide I'd advise is Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.
Waring and Townsend.

The concise guide has same plates but little text.

This guide only covers the "Macro" moths which are generally the larger moths. More than half the species are "micro" moths, but many of these are larger than many macro moths! The division is based on family, not size.

Another guide worth considering is British Moths and Butterflies which is available for €20 delivered from Book depository

Not much text, but does cover many micro moths and caterpillars.

There's always the garden moth thread here

Half-cocked

fiacha wrote: »

Thanks folks. It seems to be a great year for moths in my garden.

I'm going to hit amazon for a field guide and start logging them I think. Amazing looking creatures.

...and then you'll catch the bug and buy a moth trap.:D

Mothman

Half-cocked wrote: »

...and then you'll catch the bug and buy a moth trap.:D

And then catch loads more bugs :pac: