A few weeks ago my son spotted and snapped a photo of a Jersey Tiger moth on the side of our house. It was the first time we’d ever heard or seen one.
Butterfly Conservation list the Jersey Tiger Moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria) as nationally rare, but established along in the southern counties of England. It is not that common north of London, but it is increasing its foothold. Well, it has definitely reached Cambridgeshire! We’ve been seeing it (them?) intermittently over the last four weeks.
Jersey Tiger moth on a Myrtle bush
It’s a beautiful day (and night) flying moth from the Arctiid family, with a large wing span (52-65mm). Crucially for me, when it spreads its wings, it flashes such a bright orange. I keep thinking that it is a Painted Lady butterfly when I spot it, but it is even brighter. It is mesmerising and hard to miss …
until you turn your back on it to get a camera or phone. Then it’s gone in seconds.
So it has taken me a while to actually get a photo, particularly one showing those flashes of amber. Today I looked out of the kitchen window and saw it flitting about …
And then I watched it settle on our potted Abelia,
Jersey Tiger moth on Abelia grandiflora
where it lingered for some time, enjoying a drink …
and skipping from flower to flower.
Never quite opening those wings, but showing tantalising hints
Then it flew up and away and I managed this frustrating shot:
If only I’d been faster!
Now I’ve been reading up about its hairy offspring. It sounds like a good thing our garden has ‘wild’ patches, full of ground ivy, white dead-nettle, brambles and nettles as these are named food plants for the caterpillars.
So we are ready with food and drink. Jersey Tiger moths can establish a colony in our patch any time they want!
That is stunning and very exciting to see. I cannot believe any of these tigers live in the UK
It was very exciting to see and a few days ago I saw two at the same time, so fingers crossed for more next year!
I have never seen one of these magnificent moths. Fabulous photos!
Well they do seem to be spreading northwards, so may you will soon!
Marvelous sighting and even better that you have its favorite plants. May there be many more generations!
Here’s to that!
What a wonderful experience.The moth is beautiful, of course, and it’s so exciting that you have been able to see it. But that first photo? It reminded me of a 1950s/1960s cologne that was favored by my mother and her friends. Of course it was Faberge’s Tigress. As soon as I saw the moth, I remembered the packaging!
Oh wow, I can see why you though of it. That is some iconic packaging! Now I am wondering if I would like the scent.
It‘s a beauty. I had one in my old garden once, but isn‘t it frustrating trying to get photos! You have managed to get some nice shots and capture its fiery colour in flight though. 😃
Thanks. Still trying to get that shot, but they seem to have disappeared for now, so it might have to be next year!
A beautiful moth and well done on getting some great shots. And how exciting to see one so rare!
Thanks Sue. I get the impression that with our new weather patterns we will be seeing them more frequently going forward, but regardless, it is a beauty!
I’ve never seen this moth, well done on getting the lovely shots.
Thank you. It wouldn’t surprise me if you did see it in the next year or two, with the expansion of its range.
A beauty. Wonderful images.
Thank you.