Category: News & Events

The hawk-moths are a group of large, colourful, charismatic moths that are well known for having caterpillars with prominent ‘horns’ that are used to deter predators.

Eighteen species of hawk-moth have been recorded in the UK, only nine of these, however, are resident in this country, the others only occur as migrants from overseas. Within the parish I have recorded the presence of nine species, six resident and three migrant. The three migrant species consisted of a Convolvulus Hawk-moth from 2020, a Striped Hawk-moth from earlier this year and several Hummingbird Hawk-moths. Both the Convolvulus and Striped Hawk-moths arrived during periods of prolonged southerly wind which will have assisted them in traveling to this country from continental Europe and the latter of the two species was taken during a large national influx where several hundred were recorded across the country including many from elsewhere in Devon. The Hummingbird Hawk-moth is by far the commonest of the three and in some coastal localities is likely to be breeding. They can often be seen by day, feeding on the nectar of Red Valerian or Buddleia. As previously mentioned, within the parish I have recorded six of the nine resident species of hawk-moth: Lime Hawk-moth, Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth, Privet Hawk-moth, Elephant Hawk-moth, and Small Elephant Hawk-moth. The three species that I have not noted in Bridford are all either uncommon in Devon or very specialised to a specific habitat. 

Hawk-moth species are night flying only so are unlikely to be encountered by day. However, as mentioned above, the Hummingbird Hawk-moth is day flying and is most frequently seen around flowers that contain plenty of nectar. So if you have a Buddleia in your garden, keep an eye-out on a hot, sunny day for this fascinating moth.  Thanks to Sam Gray for this report and picture.

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In mid-July we surveyed the Pound Lane and Butts Close grass verges again.  Grasses now predominate and we found Yorkshire Fog, Crested Dog’s Tail, Perennial Rye Grass, Creeping Bent, Sweet Vernal Grass, False Oat Grass, Cocks Foot Grass and Meadow Foxtail.  We also found a few new species of wildflower to add to the list of 40+ we identified in our last report: smooth hawk’s beard, self-heal, fox and cubs, and ragwort. We pulled up the ragwort as it can be injurious to livestock and we didn’t want it to seed. We also found some docks and a few thistles on the Pound Lane verges and these we cut down and removed to prevent them from seeding.  

We were pleased to see how well the Knapweed was doing (see picture).  Knapweed is one of the best sources of good quality nectar for pollinating insects and as well as supporting our bees, butterflies and beetles, its seeds provide food for many birds.  Your grass verges are now helping to make up for the 97% of wildflower meadows destroyed since the 1930s and we would like to thank everyone in the village for their support for this vital project.  The verges will get their final cut during August and we will sow yellow rattle seeds to help reduce the grass and encourage more wildflowers for next year.  This project has been generously supported by Bridford Parish Council.

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Our moth expert Sam Gray writes: The prominents are largish moths in the family Notodontidae that can commonly be found attracted to light during late spring and throughout the summer. They are thick bodied moths with dense ‘fur’ on the thorax and at the base of the legs. The wings are usually quite long and tapering towards the apex. When the wings are folded, the inner edge of both the wings come together over the moth with tufts of scales forming prominent spikes pointing upwards, hence the common name of the moths. The pattern of the forewings are subtle but really beautiful, with a blend of dark and pale colours creating distinctive patterns that help them to camouflage against tree bark and dead vegetation when at rest during the day. The jagged appearance of the Pale Prominent means that it is perfectly adapted to blend in with a broken piece of wood. The obvious palps at the front of the moth further exaggerate its ‘snapped twig’ appearance. Another example is the Iron Prominent, a dark moth with subtle yellow and red markings; it has clearly evolved to hide away on the ground amongst the leaf litter and soil.