NATURE NOTES As moths are predominantly nocturnal, most go largely unnoticed for much of the year. But one exotic-looking species has been appearing almost anywhere around Dorset, and is prompting frequent identification requests on social media, wildlife, and entomology group pages. The Jersey Tiger moth, with its striking obliquely striped black and cream forewings is active both night and day. In flight, this large moth with its blackblotched vivid orange, or more rarely yellow, hindwings was once regarded as a very rare immigrant species, but now has resident colonies in some southern counties and is spreading northwards.
Brimstone
Interesting to note that most other species ignored those flowers, instead, preferring the ever popular buddleia. Later flowering plants such as sedums and dahlias will continue to provide nectar for many insect species, including any butterflies that may still be on the wing on warmer days.
Jersey Tiger moth
Despite an apparently slow start for butterflies in the spring, in this garden at least throughout August and September there have been the most sightings for several years, perhaps due in some degree to the garden having been allowed to grow even more naturally over the past year. One plant given a free rein was the perennial Sweet Pea – scrambling around other plants at low level and attracting many Brimstone butterflies to feed on its nectar was a joy to see. A Brimstone is often the first butterfly to be seen on the wing in early spring. 48
Comma
These nectar-rich sources provide essential nutrients for the few species that spend the winter in a dormant state, including Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. Gill Nash
