69.001 Lime Hawk-moth

Mimas tiliae

Lime Hawk-moths fly from May to July. Larval foodplants include: Lime, Elm, Birch and Alder.

69.003 Poplar Hawk-moth

Laothoe populi

With a wingspan measuring up to 9cm this is one of the largest moth species seen locally. Adults fly in daytime from May to July and are sometimes drawn to light at night. Its larvae feed on Poplar, Aspen and Sallow. Brian Ecott said: "When I moved to Clayhall in 1962 they were a common sight as Clayhall Avenue was Poplar tree lined for its whole length. The trees were removed over time. The moths were also common in Chingford Hatch at that time."

69.003 Poplar Hawk-moth

Laothoe populi

With a wingspan measuring up to 9cm this is one of the largest moth species seen locally. Adults fly in daytime from May to July and are sometimes drawn to light at night. Its larvae feed on Poplar, Aspen and Sallow. Brian Ecott said: "When I moved to Clayhall in 1962 they were a common sight as Clayhall Avenue was Poplar tree lined for its whole length. The trees were removed over time. The moths were also common in Chingford Hatch at that time."

69.010 Humming-bird Hawk-moth

Macroglossum stellatarum

The Humming-bird Hawk-moth is a migrant species sometimes seen feeding at flower-heads in sunshine. Foodplants include Lady's Bedstraw, other bedstraws and Wild Madder, but the larvae are rarely found in Britain.

69.010 Humming-bird Hawk-moth

Macroglossum stellatarum

The Humming-bird Hawk-moth is a migrant species sometimes seen feeding at flower-heads in sunshine. Foodplants include Lady's Bedstraw, other bedstraws and Wild Madder, but the larvae are rarely found in Britain.

70.004 Least Carpet

Idaea rusticata

This tiny macro species with a wingspan of 19-21mm flies from June to August. The larvae can be found on ivy which is one of the larval foodplants.

70.006 Dwarf Cream Wave

Idaea fuscovenosa

This species flies in June and July. The larval foodplant is unknown, but in captivity the caterpillars have fed on dandelions, knotgrass and bramble.

70.036 Maiden's Blush

Cyclophora punctaria

This species inhabits oak woodland and is seen flying from April to August. Its larvae feed on oak leaves.

70.141 Double-striped Pug

Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

Flies from May to September, usually just before dusk. It can be attracted to light.

70.159 Cypress Pug

Eupithecia phoeniceata

Arrived in this country by accident on garden conifers. Since the initial British record at Cornwall during 1959 it had now spread across most of southern England. August and September are peak flying months for this species.

70.173 Lime-speck Pug

Eupithecia centaureata

Flies from April to October in two broods.

70.222 Brown Silver-line

Petrophora chlorosata

This species flies during May and June. Its larvae feed on Bracken.

70.245 March Moth

Alsophila aescularia

This is a woodland species. The males fly from February until April. Females are wingless and rarely seen.  Larval foodplants include Oak, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

70.061/2 Carpet Moth agg.

Epirrhoe agg.

Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata and Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata are very similar in appearance, the former being slightly larger. The Wood Carpet has a white outer band that is relatively solid and only weakly divided, and normally appears in June. Without a wing measurement it was impossible to verify this moth so it was treated as an aggregate.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Puss Moths are on the wing from May to July. Caterpillars up to 65mm long are seen from July to September. feedong on Poplar and Willow. They are usually found low down on saplings. This is one of the largest caterpillars that you are likely to see in Hainault Forest. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. When disturbed by a predator these caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.