Types of moths in uk. Wax moths galleria mellonella achroia grisella other. With around 2500 species of moth in the uk theres an amazing amount of diversity to be discovered. Mothra a recurring character in the godzilla franchise. While sometimes overshadowed by their colourful butterfly cousins moths are considerably more diverse with about 2500 species in the uk.
Image copyright sarah gillespie image caption small phoenix. Over 2500 species have been recorded in the british isles and currently 2261 of these are illustrated featuring 7271 photographs. The field guide to the moths of great britain and ireland by waring townsend and lewington bloomsbury 40 shows moths in resting positions. If you have good quality photos of british moths or lifecycle stages not yet featured on ukmoths and would like to contribute please check the guidelines for contributors.
There are over 160000 recorded species of moths across the globe with around 11000 of these being found in the united states and around 2500 being found in the united kingdom. Killer moth or drury walker a supervillain in american comic books. Peppered moth biston betularia the subject of a now well known study in evolution. There are burnet moths with black and red wings tiger moths with beautiful bold patterns and hawk moths that can be as large as your hand.
Moths are flying insects in the order of lepidoptera which is also the same order to which butterflies belong. The species of these moths is referred to as a generalist feeder which means that they consume almost all types of plant species including many herbs and trees. But there are lots of wonderfully colourful species and plenty with dramatic patterns including in the uk. The wingspan of these moths ranges from 45 65 cm and the wings are orange yellowish in color with pointed and marked forewings.