 | | | “Stingers are a vital part of growing up, giving us one of the most painful early memories of close contact with nature.
It is much later in life that most of us realise just how valuable they are, especially for some of our most beautiful wild creatures.
Without stinging nettles, peacock, small tortoiseshell and red admiral butterflies would have nowhere to lay their eggs, so do please find a space for nettles somewhere in your neighbourhood.”Professor Chris Baines
Environmentalist and Broadcaster |
| | Spectacle - Abrostola triplasia
© Roy Leverton | In its typical resting position with wings clasping a twig the Spectacle is well camouflaged resembling a broken branch. |
The Spectacle is common and widespread throughout the UK being found in woodlands, commons and gardens where it frequently visits Buddleia and Valerian flowers. The adults emerge in May from pupae that have overwintered and can be found until about mid July. Sometimes there is a second brood in the southern part of the UK that can be found on the wing between July and September. Back to moths of the nettle patch |
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| | | | Did you know? | | The Latin name of the nettle Urtica comes from the word 'uro' which means to burn! |
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