December Moth

We've had a few mild nights recently, so have put out the moth trap just on the off chance of one of the few species of winter-flying moths turning up. Although the number of individuals that arrive is very low, we were in luck and added this December Moth to the year's total. It's a fairly common species of woodland and large gardens, and is on the wing from mid-October to late December. It's markings are unmistakable, and I always think its fluffy abdomen and thorax looks very suitable for the winter weather. This is a male, smaller than the female and with a fine set of pectinate antennae, used to detect the female's pheromones.