Day 362 - Flambouyantly Marvelous Flameshoulder Moth

Flameshoulder Moth (Ochropleura plecta) 

Hey everyone today's Day 362 with only 3 days to go. You'll have figured out already that today's post is a Moth. You'll also know that I went to the Nosterfield Open Day where they had Moth Traps set up and I helped get the moths out. While looking through them we put some into containers so we could take pictures later. I can't wait to do this again as I saw so many different varieties of moths.
Today's particular one is called the Flame Shoulder Moth. It's a beautiful moth and I can't wait to cover it.

So, here are the facts:

• They are very common around all of the UK and are more widespread than some other moth species I have covered

• Saying this, they are found less commonly in Scotland. Weirdly, they aren't found less in the West.

A bugs eye view :-)

• One last on distribution they are one of the first moths that are recorded in Northern Ireland that I have covered. 

• As for habitats they usually live in woodland edges, gardens and meadowland.

• They have a 25mm - 30mm wingspan which is actually quite a medium sized moth for the United Kingdom.

• There are 2 generations, the first flying in May and June and the second flying in August and September.

• Adults visit various flowers for nectar especially Ragwort.

They may be common but they are beautiful!

• The caterpillars are nocturnal, they are found at night, and they live on plants like Dock and plantain

• The larvae feed up through late summer into autumn and over winter as a pupa

• The name refers to the flame-like straw coloured sides that the Moth has on its wings.

Here is a link  to some more information:

NatureSpot - Flameshoulder Moth

Habitas.org.uk - Flameshoulder Moth

Hope you enjoyed,

Z.