Get spotting on Moth Night

GET ready for an influx of rare and spectacular moths over the next few days as warm continental weather draws insects looking to feed on ivy.

The scarce silver-striped hawk-moth and Radford’s Flame Shoulder have already been seen in recent days but are likely to be joined by species such as the giant convolvulus hawk-moth and hummingbird hawk-moth.

As part of this year’s Moth Night, an annual Uk-wide event to record moths, which actually runs from tonight until Saturday, the public is being asked to count moths in their ivy patches.

Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation head of recording, said: “After dark, a myriad of moths come out to feed. Find some big patches of ivy blossom with a torch. It’s a fantastic and easy way to see some of the beautiful moths that are on the wing in autumn.”

Marc Botham, an ecologist, said some types of moths are in decline and Moth Night “will provide data to help determine the status of some species”.