🍂 Marvels of the Night: Autumn Moths at Glade Trust Nature Reserve

​As the days grow shorter and a crisp chill fills the air, many people think nature is winding down. But here at Glade Trust Nature Reserve, the show is far from over! While the dazzling summer butterflies might be fading, the fascinating world of Autumn Moths is just beginning. These resilient night-fliers are a vital, yet often overlooked, part of the reserve's ecosystem.

Why Moths Matter in Autumn

Moths are crucial to our environment, acting as nocturnal pollinators and a vital food source. In autumn, their importance is even clearer:

Late Pollination: Some of the season's late-blooming flowers, such as ivy, rely heavily on adult moths for their final bursts of pollination.

A Winter Feast: Moth caterpillars are a key food source for birds, and the adult moths themselves provide essential sustenance for bats and shrews as they prepare for winter.

Spotlight on Glade Trust's Autumn Beauties

Keep an eye out (or, more accurately, a light trap!) for these incredible species that call Glade Trust home during the cooler months:

1. The November Moth🦋

• ​Timing is Key: The adult moths emerge and fly late in the year, making them one of the few species active as the nights become frosty. They are a crucial late-season food source for bats before they enter hibernation.

• ​Identification Challenge: The November Moth is virtually indistinguishable from several close relatives (such as the Pale November Moth and Autumnal Moth) without microscopic examination of the genitalia.

  

• For general recording, these are often lumped together as the "November Moth aggregate" (Epirrita dilutata agg.).

• ​Life Cycle: The adult female lays eggs on the bark or twigs of various trees in autumn. These eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring, ensuring the caterpillars are ready to feed on the tender new leaves as the buds burst.

​The November Moth is a quiet testament to nature's persistence, bridging the gap between the vibrancy of autumn and the stillness of winter.

2. The Dazzling Camouflage 🌲

A true master of disguise.

Species: The Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)

Appearance: As the name suggests, it is a uniform, deep, sooty black. It's perfectly camouflaged against the dark wood of our older oak and beech trees.

When to See Them: Mid-August right up until early November.

3. The Winter Preparer 🌿

An emblem of the changing seasons.

Species: The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa)

Satellite

Appearance: A rich, velvety brown moth, easily identified by four small, orange or pale yellow spots on its forewings that resemble, well, satellites!

Interesting Fact: This species overwinters as an adult moth, emerging on milder winter nights to feed on sap. They are one of the first moths to appear in the spring.

Other Autumn beauties

How You Can Help Our Moths

Interested in supporting these amazing creatures? Here are a few simple ways you can make a difference in your own garden or when visiting the reserve:

Plant Ivy: Ivy is an absolutely essential late-season food source for adult moths, providing nectar when little else is flowering.

Leave the Leaves: Many caterpillars overwinter as pupae (cocoons) amongst leaf litter or just below the soil surface. By leaving a corner of your garden untidy and avoiding excessive digging in late autumn, you're protecting the next generation.

Turn Off the Lights: If you have an exterior light that is on all night, consider switching to motion sensors. Bright, artificial light can confuse and exhaust moths.