Leopard Moth

It was a good night for moths in the garden - muggy and still. I was in a bit of a rush this morning and was a bit daunted by the sheer number of moths in my light trap. I quickly sorted through and photographed all the potentially new species for my garden. This one was easy to identify and is new for me - it is Leopard Moth, Zeuzera purina, a very striking species which is on the wing right through July. The larvae spend two or three winters boring inside twigs and branches of a wide range of trees and shrubs. They can be a serious pest in fruit trees. However, they look so brilliant they are definitely welcome in my little garden.