Wildlife advent calendar: Day 7: December moth

For this invertebrate the name really says it all. The aptly named December moth is named after the time of year that you can most commonly see them flying around. They are fairly small moths with a wing size of 30-45mm, and its shaggy black fur always makes me think of a thick coat it has wrapped itself up in to keep warm against the cold.

These moths lay their eggs around late autumn-early winter time which begin hatching the following spring. Both sexes are similar in appearance, however, the females are slightly larger than the males.

December moths are very widespread across the UK and are often found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. You are most likely to see one after dark often attracted to the light of your window or porch light.



Image taken from Flickr user Ben Sale

UK moths website

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