Male emperor moth © Matthew Hazleton
Wild about moths
Moths are the unseen allies of our gardens. With around 2500 species in the UK, they’re just as vital to our ecosystems as butterflies – yet often go unnoticed. While butterflies dazzle in the daylight, most moths quietly take the night shift.
As pollinators, moths help plants to reproduce – especially those that bloom in the evening or at night. Their long tongues allow them to reach deep into flowers like honeysuckle and evening primrose, transferring pollen as they feed.
Moths are also a vital part of the food chain, providing food for birds, bats and amphibians, while their caterpillars are an important source of nutrition for hedgehogs, birds, wasps and other insects.
Wild About Gardens
When gardening for moths, it is important to think about both the adult fliers and their caterpillars. Your free to download magical moths booklet is full of guidance on how you can transform your garden to become a haven for these important insects. From choosing nectar-rich plants to switching off unnecessary outdoor lights, there’s plenty you can do to boost biodiversity and bring your garden to life after dark.
Also within the booklet are spotter sheets to help you get more familiar with the moths and caterpillars you may spot in your garden and local greenspace.
Spotting the incredible hummingbird hawk-moth is always a treat. Watch this short video to find out more about these beautiful moths and where you might be lucky enough to see one...
Make sure you check for caterpillars before weeding! Ion spotted four elephant hawk-moth caterpillars on a willow herb in his garden…
