There are several species of moths that specialise in flying through the winter months and one of those is the rather attractive December Moth (Poecilocampa populi). This species, like other members of the Lasiocampidae family, have no feeding mouthparts and they have enough body fat reserves to see them through their breeding season. One presumes that the main advantage to breeding during the winter is to avoid predators such as bats, which will be hibernating.
As with other members of this family, the males have impressive feathered antennae with which to scent-track the slightly larger females.
December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) (male)
December Moth (P.populi) (female)
Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria) (male)
This is another winter flying species, the females of which are flightless.
The wing markings on the males are extremely variable.
Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) (male)
An autumnal species.
Udea ferrugalis
A migrant species.
Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis)
This species hibernates as an adult and will re-appear in early spring.
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