A MOTH native to India has been discovered thousands of miles from home in a Manchester back garden.

The five-inch-wide, green and pink Indian moon moth was found basking in the sun by residents of Chorlton.

The moths, also known as Actias Selene, are renowned among experts for their vivid colours, long tails and one-week lifespan.

Jennifer Purdy said she first became aware of the moth in her garden when a neighbour woke her up asking to have a look.

"I had never seen anything like it before and have no idea how it came to be there. It stayed in my garden from about 10am until dusk, when it simply flew off."

Phil Rispin, Manchester Museum's curatorial assistant in entomology, said he suspected the moth had been bred in captivity close to where it was found.

"It's not beyond the realms of possibility it was shipped across from India in some food, but I think it's far more likely it was bred locally.
"These days, it's possible to buy moth's eggs from a dealer."