Moths are members of the order Lepidoptera, and the British List currently amounts to over 2000 species!

The recording of moth species takes a good deal of work. Most fly by night and must be attracted to a light source or other attractants (such as sugar solution).

This is a Mother Shipton Moth taken by Martyn Bradley. If you look closely at the picture on the wings you will see an outline of a 'witch like' face with a hooked nose and eye. This moth gained its name from the old story of Mother Shipton because of its markings.

So far there is no accurate figure for the number of species at Pleasley, mainly because the smaller species, the so called Microlepidotera, are very hard to identify.

This is an Orange Swift Moth taken by Caron Stubbs.

Species identified on site include;

Goldspot, Common Sallow, Large Yellow Underwing, Square Spot Rustic, Black Rustic, Green Brindled Crescent and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

This is a Herald moth, one of the common species found at Pleasley. Taken by Caron Stubbs.

Some of the larger species include the abundant night flying moth, The Square-Spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa. An abundant day flying moth is the Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae stephensi. On July 4th 2004 it was estimated that over 5,000 were present on the lower flower patch. The lava from this species feeds on Birds Foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus and many pupae may be found. The yellow cocoons containing the pupae can be found on grass stems and fences around the site.

Around 160 species have been identified so far on site and a few have been confirmed as breeding. Much more work is required.