Marvel of the day

Last night's moon soon disappeared under a veil of cloud as a front moved south over the country. This brought ideal conditions for moths - mild, humid and not too windy. The catch wasn't huge but included a Sprawler, a rather attractive Mottled Umber and this remarkably beautiful Merveille du Jour, the first we've ever recorded from the garden.

It's said to be one of our most beautiful moths, especially when freshly emerged, and the mottled pattern actually provides excellent camouflage when it's resting on lichen-covered tree-trunks. Unfortunately the green colour tends to fade in more mature specimens. It lives in woodland and parks, and is widespread, though thinly scattered over most of Britain. It flies in September and October and only comes to light in small numbers which might explain why we've never seen one before. The larvae feed on oak, at first on the buds and flowers, later on the leaves.