Some day-flying moths

Following on the last post on moths, not all moths are nocturnal. Even if you don't want to go out there in the night looking for moths, you can come across many species of moth by day. There are over a hundred species of day-flying moth in the UK. Some species don't seem to care if it is day or night. Many day- flying moths are quite spectacular and often taken for butterflies. The following is is just a small selection of garden day flying moths.
 On the top shot, the Six spot Burnet, Zygaena filipendulae, on Betony, Stachys officinalis.

Silver Y, Autographa gamma, a strong migrant, it is often active during the day.

Mint Moth, Pyrausta aurata. The caterpillars of this small beauty feed on plants of the mint family.

The spectacular Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Macroglossum stellatarum feeding on Red Valerian

Small Magpie, Eurrhypara hortulata. Flies by day in June and July.

Cinnabar Moth, Tyria jacobaeae. In flight, it is often taken by a pink butterfly.