Orange Swift Moth

We were hiding from the rain, having a cup of coffee when we found this little moth who had the same idea. Well, not the coffee-drinking part and not just because it doesn't have mouthparts! Poor little thing. I think this is a male as the colouring was quite bright.

The transformation from caterpillar to moth takes two years and they pupate underground. The caterpillars eat dock roots, dandelions and other herbaceous perenials but are unlikely to cause too much damage so are not unwelcome on the allotment. Also, the eggs are laid while in flight so are unlikely to be in a large cluster.

Thanks to the Moths UK Facebook group for the id