Can anyone help identify this butterfly?

An area for archived forum posts
Post Reply
NellieTheLamb
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:32 pm

Can anyone help identify this butterfly?

Post by NellieTheLamb »

Can anyone help identify this butterfly?

If it is a butterfly and not a moth. I found it on the inside of my bedroom window.

WhatIsThisButterflyOrMoth.jpg
[/color]
SteveMcBill
Posts: 809
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:15 am
Location: Runcorn, Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Can anyone help identify this butterfly?

Post by SteveMcBill »

It is a moth. In fact it is a Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria).

A spectacular species and one of our largest Geometrids, this is however reasonably common in Britain, except for northern Scotland where it is local or absent.

Being strictly nocturnal and having quite a short emergence period in July, it is not often encountered by the non-enthusiast.

The larvae feed on a number of trees and shrubs, but prefer ivy (Hedera helix).

Steve

NellieTheLamb
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:32 pm

Re: Can anyone help identify this butterfly?

Post by NellieTheLamb »

Many thanks!
Post Reply