 | | | “Stinging nettles give us an insight into both the capacity for nature to flourish even in some of the hardest urban conditions, and how plants are essential in providing us with some of the neccessities of life.
Not only do they provide excellent food for some butterflies and moths, but we can make tea from their leaves, use them as dyes, and once stung we will never forget their power to protect - as good a piece of environmental education as any.”Mathew Frith
Urban Advisor, English Nature |
| | 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? | | Horse breeders have often added nettle seeds to horse feeds to give the animals a sleek coat. |
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