What’s in a name?

One of the most fun things about moths is their names, which are often either evocative (Maiden’s Blush, say) or gently humorous (eg The Uncertain, so named because it is tricky to identify!). Among my personal favourites is The Sprawler. This common woodland species flies from late October into December, and is widely distributed in England and Wales. You might think that its name honours the adult’s luxuriant resting position, with its forelegs extended like a stretching cat. In fact, the moniker is a nod to the caterpillar’s habit of throwing back its head when under threat. Now that’s something I would like to see.