Moths 

Moths, the nocturnal pollinators at the Hoe
While battling unfair reputation, moths are a diverse, fascinating and easy-to-see part of the Hoe wildlife.

Samphire Hoe: a vital habitat for moths

Samphire Hoe is home to 380 species of moths, including 5 featured in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Moths have an important but often overlooked ecological role of dispensing pollen over large distances under the cover of darkness. Moths act as ecosystem service providers.

Moth trapping sessions are regularly organised at Samphire Hoe and quite successful as 30 different species of moths can be recorded in only a couple of hours.

Moths are much more than just butterflies without make-up. If you thought all moths were only brown and only headbutting your lightbulb, then think again!

Magical photos of moths at the Hoe

1
5
Male sooty-grey nocturnal Muslin moth

While the female has white translucent wings and is active during the day on low vegetation, they fly between April and July at the Hoe.

2
5
The Angle Shades moth, strongly migratory

A distinctive moth with pinkish-brown markings with wings folded like a withered autumn leaf which provide an excellent camouflage.

3
5
The « pretty » White Ermine moth

A medium-sized white moth with small black spots on the forewing and a fluffy thorax and abdomen resembling a stoat’s winter ermine coat.

4
5
The large Poplar Hawk-moth

An odd-looking specie due to hindwings held further forward than forewings, thus making it look like a cluster of dead leaves of the poplar.

5
5
The large-sized Cream-spot Tiger moth

A distinctive colourful moth with black forewings with cream spots, yellow/orange hindwings and abdomen and a furry black thorax.

Butterflies

30 species of butterflies have been recorded at the Hoe according to seasons.

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Birds

Discover the 220 species of birds including resident, migrant birds and summer or winter visitors.

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Other insects

Discover some other insects which can be found on the Hoe such as dragonflies and damselflies and beetles.

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