Page 1 of 1
Can anyone help identify this butterfly?
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:50 pm
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.
[/color]
Re: Can anyone help identify this butterfly?
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:54 pm
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
Re: Can anyone help identify this butterfly?
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:53 pm
by NellieTheLamb
Many thanks!