Swallow Prominent

This is a Swallow Prominent moth (Pheosia tremula). A common moth in the UK that flies from April to June, and in August. It likes woodland, scrub, carr, gardens and parks. It flies at night and comes to light, so is often caught in moth traps. Prominents are so-called because they often have tufts of hair along the trailing edge of the forewing, which stick up to form a tuft when the moth is at rest and has its wings closed. This moth was waking up and vibrating its wings to warm them prior to flying.

Last night I caught just 5 moths in total: the Swallow Prominent, 2 Hebrew Character moths, 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart and an unidentified Pug. This is a very low number for May compared with previous years.