Jersey Tiger-moth

The Jersey Tiger moth has striking cream or white stripes on its chocolate-brown front wings, with bright red or orange hindwings that have black spots. Adults have a wingspan of 50 to 65 millimetres and fly both during the day and at night. They often visit flowers to feed on nectar. Unlike many tiger moths, this species is especially active in sunlight and can be easily disturbed from plants. Originally, this moth was a rare visitor to southern England, especially in Devon and the Channel Islands. However, in recent decades, it has spread further north and now breeds regularly across the southern counties. A well-known group of these moths lives in gardens along Regent's Canal in central London. The Jersey Tiger lives in warm, sheltered places such as coastal cliffs, gardens, woodland edges, and wasteland. The caterpillars feed on a variety of herbaceous plants, including nettles, ground-ivy, and hemp-agrimony. Adults appear from July to September, with the highest numbers seen in August. During this time, they gather at flowers rich in nectar, such as buddleia and hemp-agrimony.