butterflies

 

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                                                                          Butterflies in the garden     

 

Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

It is a migratory butterfly found in temperate Europe, Asia and North America. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates north in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. In April the first butterflies arrive in Holland. 
They lay eggs in May June. In July the next generation flies in our garden. 
It loves also rot fruit I ‘ve seen the titmouses peck holes in the plums. Afterwards the Atalantas appear. When I am eating a plum, sometimes an atalanta sits on my hand.
Red admiral caterpillars eat plants of the nettle family
This is my favourite butterfly. Also because it is not shy at all.

I ‘ve taken more photo’s. You can see them on an other page.

Atalanta (Vanessa atalanta) Click here to see more atalantas.

German: Admiral   French: Vulcain

Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

 

Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, known in North America as the Cosmopolite (Cynthia cardui)  Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, known in North America as the Cosmopolite (Cynthia cardui)  Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, known in North America as the Cosmopolite (Cynthia cardui)  Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, known in North America as the Cosmopolite (Cynthia cardui)  Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, known in North America as the Cosmopolite (Cynthia cardui)   

Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, known in North America as the Cosmopolite (Cynthia cardui)

 
These photos are taken in the end of July 2007. It’s also a
migratory butterfly. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Holland. It ‘s the most widespread butterfly. (All over the world)
The eggs are laid on thistle, mallow, or hollyhock leaves. Adults from northern Europe migrate  in the autumn to North Africa and southern Europe. When they stay they don’t survive the winter.  

German: Distelfalter   French: Vanesse du chardon, vanesse des chardons

   

Comma (Polygonia c album) Comma (Polygonia c album) Comma (Polygonia c album)

This butterfly hibernates in the Netherlands
  Then it has the resemblance to a dead leaf.
They mate in March, April. Eggs are laid singly on the sprouting leaves of the foodplant, usually nettle. The caterpillar  
can easily be mistaken for a bird dropping.
In June there is a second generation, which hibernates. The first generation is lighter than the second generation.
The butterfly gets its name from the C or comma-shaped silver mark on the underside of the hind wings. The wings are angular for a good camouflage.
The Aurelia has a small habitat.
omma (Polygonia c album) omma (Polygonia c album) omma (Polygonia c album)

German: C-Falter   French: Robert-le-Diable

Comma (Polygonia c album)
Comma (Polygonia c album)
Comma (Polygonia c album)

 

Peacock butterfly (nachis io)

Peacock butterfly (nachis io)

Peacock butterfly (nachis io)

 

Peacock butterfly (nachis io) Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) Photo: begin April 2007.
On the
Butterfly Bush: July 2009

I hadn’t seen it in two years in the garden. Now I saw it already at the end of  March. 
It is
often wintering in buildings or trees. Therefore it appears quite early in spring. They live about a year (from June to May).
Eggs are laid in May on the underside of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), the food plant. (Also the food plant for  the Red admiral, Comma) So the garden plants are saved this way. 
The second generation hibernates.

German: Tagpfauenauge   French: Paon du jour

 

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

I don't see it often in the garden, although it is a general butterfly.
It is to recognize  by the edge with blue half moons, which are clearly contrasted against the orange and black.
It hibernates in barns and houses and is therefore often one of the first butterflies in the spring (March)  
In April they put their eggs under the leaves of the nettles. The first generation flies at the end of May and June.  In August, September flies the larger second generation. Sometimes there is a third generation.
The caterpillars feed on nettles.

German: Kleine Fuchs  French: Petite tortue, vanesse de l'ortie

 

Small White (Pieris rapae)

Small White (Pieris rapae)

Small White (Pieris rapae)

 

Small White (Pieris rapae)

Small White (Pieris rapae) Family Pieridae

In Holland, there are generally 3 generations each year. Small White is creamy white with black tips to the forewings. Females also have two black spots in the center of the forewings. Its caterpillars can be a pest on cultivated cabbages, but it will readily lay eggs on wild members of the cabbage, as Garlic mustard . It hibernates as a pupa.
Wing length 21 to 27 millimetres
It is difficult to take photos, because they are very restless. 
It is widespread across Europe, North Africa and Asia and has also been accidentally introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand  

German: Kleine Kohlweißling   French: Piéride de la rave, Petit Blanc du chou

Large White or Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae) 
Large White or Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae) 
Large White or Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae) 
Large White or Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
Large White or Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)

Large White or Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)  Family Pieridae
White
wings with black tips on the forewings. Generally more vertical than horizontal (difference with the Small White)  The female also has two black spots on each forewing. . Its caterpillars also feed on cultivated cabbages and members of the cabbage.
Wing length about 32 millimetres
It hibernates as a pupa. They are flying from March to October.
The Large White is common throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia to the Himalayas.  
The caterpillars of a large white eating Annual Honesty or Silver Dollar (Lunaria annua)
  The caterpillars of a large white eating an honesty.     The caterpillars of a large white eating an honesty. 

German: Große Kohlweißling   French: Piéride du chou

Green-veined White (pieris napi)

Green-veined White (pieris napi)
Green-veined White (pieris napi)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi) Family Pieridae

I
t rarely lays its eggs on garden cabbages, for it prefers wild crucifers, as Garlic mustard and Hedge mustard. It is often mistaken with the Large and Small Whites. Especially when it is flying.
The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one.

It hibernates as a pupa. Here on a Annual Honesty or Silver Dollar Widespread across Europe, Asia including the Indian subcontinent and North America  

Flight Time: March - October


German: Rapsweißling   French: Piéride du navet

Brimstone (Conepteryx rhamni)

Brimstone (Conepteryx rhamni)

Brimstone (Conepteryx rhamni)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamnionepteryx rhamni) Family Pieridae
T
he male is yellow. The female white with a greenish tinge. Both have an orange spot in the center of each wing.
They hibernate and awake the next year early.
Each year there is one generation.
It lays its eggs on the leaves of either Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) or Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)

Found in Europe, Asia, and even in North Africa.

German: Zitronenfalter   French: Citron

 

 

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) 
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) 
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) Family Lycaenids or Blues
The bright green caterpillars feed mostly on holly spindles, and ivy. All three shrubs are in our garden. The Holly Blue flies oft high up around trees and bushes in full sunlight.
It ‘s a small, beautiful butterfly. At
the upper side of the forewings only the females have broad black borders. But it’s difficult to see, for the adults don’t open their wings oft . They  only open their wings early in the morning or late in the evening to warm up in the sunshine.
It hibernates as a pupa. There are two broods a year.  
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) Family Lycaenids or Blues    Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) Family Lycaenids or Blues

German: Faulbaum-Bläuling   French: L'azuré des nerpruns

Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis)

Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis)

Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis)
Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis) Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis) Familie Lycaenidae

The wings has a row of orange spots along the border.
You find them especially along the coast. But also along the rivers. Often on sandy soil.

Foodplant: Especially geranium species.

May - October. Two sometimes three generations.

The half-grown caterpillars hibernate. (in litter)

Central and Southern Europe.

German: Kleine Sonnenröschen-Bläuling   French: Collier-de-corail, argus brun

Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Family Lycaenids or Blues

The Small Copper belongs to the Blues, although there is not much blue on this butterfly. 
Wingspan: about 25 mm.
April - October. Three generators.
Hosts: Sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella) , Common Sorrel or Garden Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Caterpillar: August - May and May - July. It overwinters as a caterpillar.
The butterfly is found in the  Palearctic and the Nearctic      
    Small Copper, American Copper or Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

German: Kleine Feuerfalter   French: Lycaena phlaeas

 

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) male

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) female

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) male Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) Family: Satyridae

The colour of the female is more beautiful. The female is larger, has also a larger eye-spot on each forewing and has an orange colouration on the forewings.  Linnaeus even thought, they were several species. Generally the male butterfly is most beautiful.
The Meadow Brown occurs in a wide variety of grassland habitats such as roadsides and gardens. The Meadow Brown will also fly in dull weather  
The butterfly on the large photo is a male. The  butterflies on the last three photos are females.

Flight Time: May – August. But the adult lives less than a month.

  Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) female  Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) female These two photos: 4-7-2010.

German: Große Ochsenauge   French: Myrtil

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) Same butterfly on the table. It looks darker.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) Family Satyridae

Just like last year I saw the first speckled wood in the garden (2009) half of September. The wing was damaged.
It is often found in and on the borders of woodland.

The eggs are laid in the grass. (half in the shade) The caterpillars feed on various species of grass.

Flight Time: March - October. Twee, three generations..
It overwinters as a caterpillar or as a pupa.
The wingspan is 32 to 42 mm. 

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) Photo 28-4-2010  Undamaged this time.

German: Waldbrettspiel   French: Tircis

 

Moths 
That moths at night flies is understandable. Nevertheless there, are about hundred species, which fly by day and sometimes also are beautiful coloured.
A characteristic of moths are the long
feelers, or antennae are unclubbed at the end.
They are often  comb-like or feathery, or filamentous.
Most moths have no bright colours (brown, grey, white or black) and often with patterns of which help camouflage them during the day.
Moths tend to have stout and hairy bodies to conserve heat during the cooler nights.
There’s a coupling of the forewing with the hindwing.
Unlike moths, butterflies generally hold their wings together above their backs when resting.
 

Snout moths, Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae)
They are quite variable in appearance. But all these moths have visible antennae, when they are in rest. The antennae of other moths are under the wings. There are some subfamilies.
The subfamily grass moths (Crambidae) is also treated as a full family.

Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) Family Snout moths, Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae)

As you can see on the photo, the meal moths rest characteristically with the tip of the abdomen curved up at right-angles to the body. This moth I had found at home. Here it did not stay long, for it was not such a safe place.
The caterpillars feed on stored grain (products) Of course not everyone is happy about that.
Wingspan: 18 - 30 millimeters.
June to August. Several generations.
It is widespread worldwide.

Meelmot (Pyralis farinalis) 

German: Mehlzünsler    

Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis)

Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella)

Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) Family Snout moths, Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae)

Males have a cream white wing base of the forewing. The forewing of the female has a brown green base colour. The females have a snout that protrudes.
Wingspan about 30 mm.
The larvae live primarily in the nests of bumblebees, but also in the nests of bees and wasps. They eat the wax in these nests. Sometimes the whole nest is eaten. They can also gnaw the wood birdhouses. Beekeepers are not so happy with them.
In autumn, the larvae mature and overwinter in cocoons. Often a number of cocoons are spun against each other.
June - August.

 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) Photo 10-7-2010

German: Hummelnestmotte, Hummel-Wachsmotte, Hummelmotte

 

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata)

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata)

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata)

Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) is a day-flying moth. Family grass moths (Crambidae)

It is very small (one centimetre) and its food plant is mint (how it is possible with such a name)  but also species such as marjoram
On the photo it sits however on
Green Alkanet, Evergreen Bugloss (Pentaglottis sempervirens) If it rests the feelers lie on its back.
The Mint moth has a gold  spot on the forewing. Its the related to the Purprmott (Pyrausta purpuralis) (more spots).
The larvae of the autumn generation hibernate in their cocoons.
Flying time: April - September. Two generations.
In north-west Europe
5 July I sa a damaged mint moth with a fly on a Thousand-leaf,  Yarrow. The feelers stand up now.  

German: Purpurzünsler  French: Pyrale de la menthe

Small Magpie  (Eurrhypara hortulata) Family grass moths (Crambidae) 

Although it is also a day-flying moth from the family Crambidae, the Small Magpie flies especially in twilight and also at night.
It is larger than the Mint moth. The wingspan is 24-28 mm.
White wings with dark spots with some yellow body parts.
You can find the butterfly especially in the nettle. Here it is in a yew.
The caterpillar feed on of woundwort and nettle. (but also other plants) It feeds from a rolled or spun leaf in August and September  It hibernates as a cocoon.
It flies in June and July.
West Europe, East Asia.

German: Brennnesselzünsler   

Small Magpie  (Eurrhypara hortulata)

 

Udea prunalis  Family grass moths (Crambidae) 

It flies at night. It is no day-flying moth like the other members of this family on this page.
It is recognized by the line at the bottom of the wing. Above the line there are two dark dots. The lower dot is larger.

The colour is is light gray brown with white legs and body.

The larvae feed on the leaves of a wide range plants, trees, shrubs.
The young caterpillar hibernates in a cocoon on a leaf. 

Flying time June - August. One generation.
Wingspan 23 to 26 mm.

 

Udea prunalis

Anthophila fabriciana  Familie Choreutidae Anthophila fabriciana  Familie Choreutidae

A very small butterfly.
Wingspan: 10 to15 millimeters. 

It flies in May to October. Two generations. It is most seen in June and September.
Widespread in the Palearctic ecozone.
The caterpillar feed on nettles.

 Anthophila fabriciana  Familie Choreutidae Anthophila fabriciana  Familie Choreutidae Anthophila fabriciana  Familie Choreutidae

Longhorn Moth (Nemophora degeerella) Longhorn Moth (Nemophora degeerella) Family Adelidae

It is a female.
The male's antennae are much longer. They are around 30 mms long. It also is a day-active moth. 
You can find the butterfly on
bistort, nettle and daisy. 
The caterpillar feeds
on leaf remains of birches. Flying time April to June

    Longhorn Moth (Nemophora degeerella)

German: Langhornmotte  French: Coquille d'or

Cauchas rufimitrella Cauchas rufimitrella Family Adelidae

This moth has a beautiful metallic glow. It is a day-active moth. 
Wingspan 10 - 12 mm.
Caterpillars live on the seeds of Cardamine pratensis
Flying time May to June.

          Cauchas rufimitrella


Green longhorn (Adela reaumurella) Green longhorn (Adela reaumurella) Green longhorn (Adela reaumurella) Family Adelidae.

A day-active metallic green moth. The caterpillars live on leaf remains. 
Wingspan 14 - 18 mm. Photos 5 -5 2010. Male. Flying time May to June. The males are often dancing near the bushes.
Nematopogon adansoniella Nematopogon adansoniella familie Adelidae, de langsprietmotten.

It is a day-active moth. It looks like the Nemapogon swammerdamella. But Nemapogon adansoniella has black / white ringed antennae. Although the photo is not very clear, the rings are visible. (Also on photo 2010 now)
Wingspan 17 - 19 mm.
Hosts: Common Beech, oak, Prunus spinosa (blackthorn or sloe) and Bilberry
April - June. One generation.

        Nematopogon adansoniella  antenne                   Nematopogon adansoniella  Photo 24-4-2010                                                        

Esperia sulphurella Esperia sulphurella Family Oecophoridae

It is a day-active moth. I have read, they are active especially early in the morning. When I saw the moth, I first thought it was a caddisfly. It has the same long antennae protruding from its head. 
It was late and the sun was already low. Therefore it was difficult to photograph it well. 

The first Dutch Esperia sulphurella is found in 1971 in Melissant (South Holland). Now they are be found more often. Especially in 2009 this year. But they are still listed as rare in the Netherlands. 
Recognized by the white band around the antennae, a yellowish spot on the back and a yellow stripe on the side. (not visible on this photos)
April - June. One generation.
The larvae feed on dead wood. (Beech, oak, blackthorn and bilberry)
Wingspan 12 - 16 mm.

   Esperia sulphurella   A year later on the same place 6-5-2010  Esperia sulphurella Family Oecophoridae    German: Admiral   French: Vulcain

Incurvaria masculella Family: Incurvariidae. Incurvaria masculella Family: Incurvariidae.

Features: Brown wings with white spots. It looks like the Incurvaria pectin. The spots of the I. pectin are not as sharply defined. The males have combed antennas. 
The young larva is a leaf miner (May, June). After the first moult, they live on the soil and feed on dry leaves. 
The hostplants are hawthorn (especially in Great-Britain) oak, birch, rose, common bilberry.

The caterpillar hibernates. 
April - June
Wingspan 12 - 16 mm.
Europe.

 


Silver Y (Autographa gamma)

Silver Y (Autographa gamma)

Silver Y (Autographa gamma)

Silver Y (Autographa gamma)

Noctuidae or Owlet moths A family of robustly-built moths. In the Netherlands there are about 350 species. Most have drab forewings, although some have brightly coloured hindwings.  Many caterpillars live in the soil.

Silver Y (Autographa gamma)

It is of course named for the silvery Y-shaped mark on its forewings. 
It an appetite butterfly is. It
is a migratory moth. In spring they arrive from the south in the Netherlands. In the autumn some moths fly south again. They can’t survive the winter.
The larvae feed on a wide range of low plants.
By day it also visit flowers.
W
idespread across Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa.  

German: Gammaeule 

Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum)

 

Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths


The double square-spot has
pale brown forewings marked with two distinctive black marks. It flies at night in June and July.
It is in Europe a common species.
It hibernates as a larva. In autumn the larvae can be found on lower plants, like Dock and Dandelion.  
The
brownish  caterpillar is feeding on a wide variety of plants including birch, blackthorn, bramble, raspberry.    

Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths

A quite large moth. I found it in the kitchen. When I put it outside. I made a photo, when it rested for a moment on the chestnut. Then I have made this photo.
The forewings are quite variable from light brown to almost black. The hindwings are bright orange-yellow with a black sub-terminal band. If it flies away, it confuses the predators.
It is a common butterfly in the Netherlands.

Flying time: May to September.

The species hibernates as a caterpillar and feeds on plants like rubus, nettle and dandelion.  

German: Hausmutter   French: Fiancée

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

 

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths

A beautiful moth which his name has been given by the metallic sheen. The head and crest are striking orange. Behind is a small orange crest.
A few times you see it during the day. This Saturday it was hidden between the leaves, but it remained calm when I photographed it.
Wingspan 28 to 35 mm.
May to October. Two generations. (sometimes three)
Widespread across Europe
Caterpillars: June, July and also in autumn and spring, because the caterpillars overwinter.
They live in a variety of herbaceous plants. E.g. nettle, deadnettle.

German: Messingeule   French: Plusie vert-doré

Coronet (Craniophora ligustri)

Coronet (Craniophora ligustri)

 

Coronet (Craniophora ligustri)

Coronet (Craniophora ligustri) Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths

Sometimes olive-green suffusion to the darker parts of the forewing.

They live mainly on wild privet, ash and lilac.
It is found in Europe. Especially on sandy soils.

Wingspan: 30 - 40 mm.
April - September. Two generations 
Caterpillars: June - October. 
The species hibernates as a pupa


German: Admiral   French: Vulcain

Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths

The markings and colouring of this moth is very variable. Light brown, dark brown or deep chestnut brown. Smooth, marbled, speckled or striped.
Therefore it is particulary distinguished by the distinctive rounded wing shape.
The moth on this photo has a dark spot on the wings.

The larva feed on various deciduous shrubs and trees. But also in herbaceous plants. (in later stages)


The chestnut hibernates in the adult stage. End of February it flies again. (depending on weather)
Wingspan 28 - 36 mm.
September - May. One generation.
Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. 

German: Heidelbeer-Wintereule   

The Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) The Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix)  Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths.                           

Features: Greyish brown with orange spots. Along that spot is a black and white spotted vein. Four prominent small white spots. The lower edge of the wing is jagged. The male has comb-like antennae.
You can find him in a wooded area but also in gardens. They often overwinter inside garages, attics, etc.
This butterfly was stuck in cobwebs. After it was released, I put it on a chair for a few pictures. Then I have removed the cobwebs from the legs. It remained very quiet and then it flew away unharmed.
Host caterpillars: including willow and poplar.
Wingspan 44-48 mm.
Flight: After hibernation: April to June. Next Generation: July-October.
Caterpillar : May to September.
  The Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix)  The Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) Photos 6-6-2010

 

Family Tortricidae or tortrix moths (leafrollers). It is a large family with over 6,300 described species.  The caterpillars roll the leaves of their foodplant and fixed with silk. Damage results of course from the larvae feeding within the rolled leaves.

Dark Strawberry Tortrix (Celypha lacunana)
  
It is a beautiful little moth. 

The not fully grown caterpillars hibernates in a cocoon. After the winter they fall down and pupates in a cocoon among the leaflitter.

It will eat from a great variety of plants, shrubs and trees.

In Europe it is a common species.
Flying time from April to September.

French: Tordeuse du fraisier

Dark Strawberry Tortrix (Celypha lacunana) 

Acleris notana / Acleris ferrugana

Acleris notana / Acleris ferrugana  Family Tortricidae or tortrix moths (leafrollers)

Two very similar species. And also very variable. The Acleris on the photo is perhaps Acleris notana, as Acleris ferrugana never gets that dark. 
They can be brown, but they can also have a dotted pattern. The dark half circle near the edge of the upperwing can be lacking. The legs are ringed.  
Wingspan: 14 - 18 mm. 
Two generations a year.
First: April-June. The second generation overwinters. 
This moth I found in February. A the day before there was frost. 

German: Admiral   French: Vulcain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Marbled Orchard Tortrix or Green Budworm Moth

Marbled Orchard Tortrix or Green Budworm MothMarbled Orchard Tortrix or Green Budworm Moth (Hedya nubiferana) Family Tortricidae or tortrix moths (leafrollers)
One of some similar species  Hedya. 
Hedya ochroleucana has a large round black spot in the middle, almost always more than half free. The white has a cream color.
Hedya pruniana has a small black spot in the wing section (apex), and slightly larger wings and the border black / white isn't curved.
Hedya nubiferana, two black dots in the middle of the wing.
Wingspan: 15 and 21 mm
May-August. It flies from dusk into the night
Caterpillars: June - autumn. The caterpillars overwinter.
The caterpillar can be found in rowan and hawthorn, but also in apple-pear and plum trees. It damages the fruit and is therefore seen as harmful.
  Marbled Orchard Tortrix or Green Budworm Moth   Marbled Orchard Tortrix or Green Budworm Moth                

Notocelia rosaecolana

Notocelia rosaecolana Family Tortricidae or tortrix moths (leafrollers)

Similar to the Notocelia trimaculana and Notocelia roborana.
Wingspan 16- 20 mm.
May - August
It is found in the Palearctic ecozone ( Europe, Asia, northern Africa)
The larvae feed on various roses.

  Notocelia rosaecolana

 

 

Family geometer moths (Geometridae) Also a large family with 26.000 discribed species.
Catepillars generally have only two pairs of prolegs. They are drawing the hind end up to the thoracic legs to form a loop, and then extending the body forward

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata). Also a commonly moth. Because of the white paint on the wall, it was very difficult to see on a distance.
It usually feeds on crucifers: both cultivated brassicas and wild species such as flixweed, garlic mustard.
It flies in two generations from April  to September and hibernates as a pupa.

German: Garten-Blattspanner  French: Phalène ondée

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)

Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) 

As most of the moths has disappeared, flies the winter moth at night throughout the winter from October to January. These moths are a male, because the females have no wings.
The female crawl up tree-trunks to await the arrival of males. After mating, females lay their eggs in the tree. The adults die. The caterpillars are in spring an important food source for great tits. The eggs hibernate.
The caterpillars can spin a thread. So the wind can transport it to another tree. (
called "ballooning," ) In June they use the thread to descend to the ground. There it pupates. At the end of the Autumn the adults appear.
The caterpillars will feed on any tree or shrub and can be a pest in apple orchards. Formaly there were bound sticky strings around the trunk. When the females crawled up, they sicked to the trunk.
A common species in Europe.
 

Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)   Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)    German: Kleine Frostspanner  French: cheimatobie, Cheimatobie hiemale, phalène hiémale, petite phalène hiémale

Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)

Common Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma truncata) formely Chloroclysta truncata

A variable geometer moth. The middle section of the forewings can be for the most part red, white or yellow light.The moth on the photo is grey.
The hindwings are always pale grey
Every year there are 2 generations. The first time in June, July. The second August, September.
The caterpillar lives on birch, rumex species, bramble and ling.
Wingspan 32 - 39 mm
June - August. Several generations.
Worldwide.
Schimmelspanner (Dysstroma truncata)

  German: Winkelband-Blattspanner   French: Cidarie roussâtre

Schimmelspanner (Dysstroma truncata)

Double-striped Pug  (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

A nice little geometer moth,  I regularly see on the window.
Wingspan: 15 - 19 mm.
It flies from March to October. In three or four generations.
They fly from the afternoon until midnight. But they mostly  fly in the twilight.
A huge range of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, including ling, Clematis vitalba, hemp-agrimony, erica and laurel.
It hibernites as a pupa.
Zwartkamdwergspanner  (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  Double-striped Pug  (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)  Double-striped Pug  (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

  German: Rotgebänderte Blütenspanner  French: Phalène de l'olivier, fausse eupithécie

Double-striped Pug  (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

Yellow shell moth (Camptogramma bilineata)

A beautiful golden geometer moth with fine brown wavy lines on the wings.
In the Netherlands it is especially be found  in areas with a sandy soil.
It flies by day.
In mid-May - early September. Two generations pro year
The caterpillars hibernate and feed on a variety of low-growing plants, including common chickweed and Persicaria.
Wingspan: 20 - 25 mm.
Europe, North America and Asia..

It is variable in colour, as you can see at the bottom photo.
Gestreepte Goudspanner (Camptogramma bilineata)  German: Ockergelbe Blattspanner, Brennesselspanner, Löwenzahnspanner   French: Brocatelle d'Or

Yellow shell moth (Camptogramma bilineata)

Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)
This moth I found in July in my greenhouse. When I let it out, I photographed it through the glass. It didn't move when I took more photos. 
Besides this form with a dark band, there are also moths with a light band. A clear dot on both the front and rear wings.
Host plants: Dandelion, dock, etc.
June to October. Two generations.
Wingspan: 30 to 35 mm.
The caterpillar do you find in July-May on many herbaceous plants. The young caterpillar overwinters on the ground in the litter layer.
Europe

Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)    

Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)

Riband Wave (Idaea aversata ab. remutata)

This is the form with a light band. (remutata) This form I see most in the garden. (often on a window frame)   

Riband Wave (Idaea aversata ab. remutata)

Michael Stemmer thanks for your advice.

  German: Breitgebänderte Staudenspanner, Laub-Kleinspanner, Mausohr-Spanner   French: Ruban ondulé

Riband Wave (Idaea aversata ab. remutata)

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)

This light grey to light brown geometer moth  is dusty all over and has a clear dot about in the middle of the wing.
In the Netherlands it is especially be found  in areas with a sandy soil.
 The caterpillars feed on a range of herbaceous plants, including ivy (Hedera) and dandelions.
I often see them on the windowsill. But they fly at night.

May - September. Two generations.
Wingspan: 19 to 21 mm.
Europe and North Asia.

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)  Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)   German: Graue Zwergspanner, Graubestäubter Kleinspanner   

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

A pale green spanner, but a few days after hatching the colour changes into greenish-white to white. It is recognizable by the almost straight line on the wings. And by the small red flash on wingtips. (Not shown very well on this photos)

The caterpillar is often found in deciduous trees. The butterfly especially on sandy soils.

May - September. Two generations.
They hibernate as nearly mature larvae.  
Wingspan 42 - 55 mm.
Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. 

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)  Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)    German: Perlglanzspanner  French: Céladon

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

 

Groot avondrood (Deilephila elpenor) olifantsrups. Family Sphingidae.
Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar 

Unfortunately I have no picture of these beautiful moths. 
When the 8cm long brown caterpillar feels threatened it draws this snout in, towards its body and moves it slightly like on the photo. This posture resembles more a snake than an Elephant. It has also four large 'eye' markings at the head end. 
It lives mainly on the fireweed. In the garden also on the fuchsia. Although there are fireweed and fuchsia's in the garden, it is here on Menyanthes.
It hibernats as a  pupa.
The butterfly you'll find from May to June. 1 sometimes 2 generations. Wingspan 45-60 mm
More photos
The caterpillar of the Elephant Hawk-moth in rest
Groot avondrood (Deilephila elpenor) olifantsrups.                        German: Mittlere Weinschwärmer   French: Grand sphinx de la vigne
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis)

Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) Family Sphingidae. A day-flying moth.

An easily recognizable moth with a yellow-brown fur with a reddish brown band and white spots on the side. The wings are partly transparent with a red border.
Like a hummingbird it flies from flower to flower and is drinking with his tongue the nectar from the flowers. Include labiates and butterfly bushes. As you can see on the pictures, it moves its wings rapidly.
Flight time: May - July.
In the Netherlands it is found in the coastal and sandy areas.
Wingspan: 38-45 mm.
Europe (except northern Scandinavia), North Africa and Central and East Asia.
Caterpillars feed on snowberry and honeysuckle and other plants. June-August.
They overwinter as pupa among the withered leaves.

   Glasvleugelpijlstaart (Hemaris fuciformis)  Glasvleugelpijlstaart (Hemaris fuciformis)  German: Hummelschwärme  French: sphinx fuciforme,  Sphinx-Gazé ou Sphinx du Chèvrefeuille

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