Butterflies and moths in the garden

butterflies

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Nederlands / Dutch

Butterflies and moths in the garden

Subpage butterflies: Owlet moths, noctuidae, Geometer moths, Leafrollers, tortrix moths, Pyralidae, Crambidae

Nymphalidae

Peacock butterfly (Aglais io, Inachis io). Family Nymphalidae.

A very striking butterfly with an appropriate name. The eye-pots on the orange-red wings look like the eye-spots on the tail of the peacock. The dark brown underside of the wings is much less striking.
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.
Wingspan 50 - 60 mm. Europe, Asia.
Photos: 9-4-2011

German: Tagpfauenauge French: Paon du jour

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae). Family Nymphalidae.

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.
Wingspan 40 - 50 mm. Europe, Asia.

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

Map (Araschnia levana). Family Nymphalidae.

There is a big difference between the spring generation and autumn generation. The pattern (network of lines) on the underside of the wings is similar to a map. The upper side of the wings of the spring generation is orange-brown with black spots. The upper side of the wings of the summer generation is dark brown to black with orange spots along the edge and a white band.
The host plant of the caterpillars are stinging nettles.
Wingspan 38 - 43 mm.
April - September. Two generations.
Europe, Asia.

Photos 22-7-2012. German: Landkärtchen. French: Le Carte géographique. .

Painted Lady, Thistle butterfly, in North America: the Cosmopolite (Vanessa cardui, syn. Cynthia cardui). Family Nymphalidae.

In 2007 and 2008 I saw oft painted ladies. Than I haven't seen them for several years. In 2012 I saw this butterfly again. It’s a migratory butterfly. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Holland.
Adults in northern Europe migrate in the autumn to North Africa and southern Europe. When they stay they don’t survive the winter. Thistle Butterflies have orange wings with black spots. The tips of the wings are black with white spots. When the wings are folded, it is a nicely drawn butterfly.
The eggs are laid on thistle, mallow or hollyhock leaves. The butterfly on nectar plants, such as the buddleia. Not like the admiral on rotting fruit.
Wingspan 50 - 60 mm.
All over the world. Not in South America and Antartica. In Australia there is a close relative, the Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi). Other closely related species are the American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) and the West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella). Photos 9-9-2012, 10-9-2012.

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

Comma (Polygonia c album). Family Nymphalidae.

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.
Europe, North Africa and North and Central Asia

Photos 1-9-2010, 2-10-2010

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

Atlanta, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta). Family Nymphalidae.

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.
Wingspan 50 - 60 mm. Europe, Asia, North America.
I ‘ve taken more photo’s. You can see them on an other page.
Click here to see more atalantas. German: Admiral French: Vulcain

Subfamily Satyridae

Small (Coenonympha pamphilus). Subfamily Satyridae. Family Nymphalidae.

The wings are pale orange with a brown edge. At the top of the front wing is a brown eye. At the underside is the eyespot surrounded by yellow. The underside of the hind wing is largely grey.
The eggs are laid in the grass. They are placed separately at the base of a grass blade.

The caterpillars eat different species of grasses.
April - September. Two generations.
It hibernates as a half-grown caterpillar.
Wingspan: 23 to 33 mm.
Eurasia, North Africa.

Photos 2-7-2012. German: Kleine Wiesenvögelchen French: Fadet commun ou Procris.

Not in the garden but in the dunes 3 km from our house.

Grayling (Hipparchia semele). Subfamily Satyridae. Family Nymphalidae.

A large butterfly of the subfamily Satyridae. The underside of the forewing is orange with two eyespots. The underside of the rear wing is drawn gray-brown. The upper side is dark brown with a yellow-brown markings. You can find it in dry areas such as dunes and heathland. In recent years, the number Graylings declined in the Netherlands.
Caterpillar host plants: grasses like fescue (Festuca).
It hibernates as a half-grown caterpillar.
Wingspan 51 to 62 mm.
Europe.

Photos 20-7-2012. German: Ockerbindige Samtfalter, Rostbinde. French: L'Agreste.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina). Subfamily Satyridae. Family Nymphalidae.

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.

These two photos: 4-7-2010.

German: Große Ochsenauge French: Myrtil

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria). Subfamily Satyridae. Family Nymphalidae.

This is the subspecies: Pararge aegeria tircis. A brown butterfly with pale yellow spots.
The other subspecies is: Pararge aegeria aegeria. This species has orange spots and occurs in Southern Europe. It can be found on my page about insects in France.
On the forewing is a dark eye-spot. At the rear wing are three or four dark eye-spots with a central white spot.
The wingspan is 32 to 42 mm.
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.

German: Waldbrettspiel French: Tircis

Pieridae

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.
Wingspan 40 - 50 mm.
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

Groot koolwitje (Pieris brassicae) Familie witjes (Pieridae).

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.
Wingspan 60 - 70 mm.
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.

German: Große Kohlweißling French: Piéride du chou

Green-veined White (Pieris napi). Family Pieridae.

It 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. But the Green-veined White has grey greenish dusky vein markings on the undersides of the wings.
The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one. (Not visible at all my photos)
It hibernates as a pupa.
Wingspan 40 - 50 mm. March - October.
Widespread across Europe, Asia including the Indian subcontinent and North America.

German: Rapsweißling French:

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). Family Pieridae.

The males are lemon yellow-colored, the females are greenish white. Both have on each wing an orange brown spot. By the light veins, form and colour the wings resemble on a leaf. They always settle with their wings closed.
They overwinter and emerge the following year early.
Flying time from July to October and February - May. Each year there is one generation.
It lays its eggs on the leaves of either Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) or Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) .
Wingspan about 55 mm.
Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia.

German: Zitronenfalter French: Citron

Blues (Lycaenids)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis, formely Plebeius agestis). Family Lycaenidae or Blues.

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

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.

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

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

German: Kleine Feuerfalter French: Lycaena phlaeas

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus). Family Lycaenidae.

The drawing of the underside of the wings is very similar to that of the brown argus. This common blue held its wings folded. It was the first time I saw one in the garden. The upper side of the wings of the male is blue, of the female blue but also brown.
Wingspan 25-30 mm.
April to October. Two sometimes three generations. The caterpillar overwinters.
Host plants for caterpillars: Plants of the pea, or bean familyas many clover species.
Europe.
Photos 16-8-2012.

German: Hauhechel-Bläuling. French: us bleu ou Azuré commun ou Azuré de la Bugrane.

Hesperiidae.
Skippers are recognizable by the large head and short wings. They have the antennae clubs hooked backward. At rest the forewings are folded together or held at 45o angle, while the rear wings remain open and flat. Grasses are host plants of the caterpillars of the most skippers.

Not in the garden but in the dunes 3 km from my house. I've seen in our garden, but I could not take photos at that moment.

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). Family skippers or skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae).

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus, synonym Ochlodes faunus). Family skippers or skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae).

The underside of the rear wing is yellowish brown with light spots. Host plants: Various species of grasses. Sandy and peat grounds. Grasslands (no clay), forest clearings. Overwinters as half-grown caterpillar. June - August. Wingspan 25 - 32 mm. Europe. Photo 15-7-2012.

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). Family skippers or skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae).

Lichtbruim to yellow, without drawing, at the upperside of the wings. The underside of antennae club is black. (difference with Thymelicus sylvestris.) Flowery places with tall grasses.
Eggs on the stems of grasses where they remain over the winter. May - August. Wingspan 22 - 26 mm. Europe. Introduced to North America in 1910. Photo 15-7-2012.

Moths
That moths fly at nigh t 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.

I have made subpages of some families. On this page I have placed a photo of one species of the family and a link.

Endothenia ustulana Family Tortricidae or tortrix moths (leafrollers)

Uncertain (Hoplodrina octogenaria, synonym Hoplodrina alsines) Family Noctuidae or Owlet moths.

It resembles the Rustic. But the spots on the wings are smaller. The caterpillar feeds at night on many different herbaceous plants. By day he hides, like the caterpillar in the picture. It hibernates as a caterpillar. He pupate in the soil.
Wingspan: 28 to 34 mm. May- August. One generation.

Endothenia ustulana. Family Tortricidae or tortrix moths (leafrollers).

Other resembling the species are E. gentianaeana March, E. marginana and E. oblongana
Host plants: Bugleweed, ground pine or carpet bugle (Ajuga), self-heal, woundwort or lamb's ears (Stachys) and Jewelweeds (Impatiens). The larva lives in the roots. It actually flew near bugleweed.
In the Netherlands, very rare!!

If you want to see more Owlet moths, Noctuidae on my site, please visit: Owlet moths, noctuidae

If you want to see more tortrix moths, leafrollers, Tortricidae on my site, please visit: Tortrix moths, leafrollers

Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis). Subfamily Pyraustinae. Family grass moths (Crambidae).

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata). Family geometer moths (Geometridae).

A common 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.

Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis). Family grass moths (Crambidae). Sometimes you can read as family: Snout moths, Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae). Family grass moths (Crambidae) is also treated as a full family.
In the light they sometimes have a pearly glow. It is a day active moth.
The caterpillars feed on nettles. They roll up a nettle leaf and fix it with silk. Here they hibernate. They are sometimes on other plants.
Wingspan: 26 - 40 mm. That's large for a grass moth. May - September Two generations.
German: Nesselzünsler. French: Pyrale du Houblon.

If you want to see more Geometer moths, geometridae on my site, please visit: Geometer moths, geometridae

If you want to see more Snout moths and Grass moths on my site, please visit: Pyralidae, Crambidae

Adelidae.

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. Photo 5-6-2012

Male. 6-6-2012.

German: Langhornmotte French: Coquille d'or

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. An other foodplant is garlic mustard. (last photo)
Flying time May to June.

Last photo 19-5-2010.

Green longhorn (Adela reaumurella) male Family Adelidae.

Green longhorn (Adela reaumurella). Family Adelidae.

A day-active metallic green moth. The caterpillars live on leaf remains.
Wingspan 14 - 18 mm. Male.
Flying time May to June. The males are often dancing near the bushes.

Male. Photos 5 -5 2010.
Female green longhorn with shorter antennae: Photo 14-5-2011.

Nematopogon adansoniella. Family Adelidae.

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.

Photo 24-4-2010

Many-plumed moths (Alucitidae).

Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla). Family Many-plumed moths (Alucitidae).
The wing is divided into 6 plumes.
A common moth. I don't see it in the garden, but sometimes (like this moth) I find it in our house. In the Netherlands there is only one other member of the family, namely the rare Alucita Grammodactyla.
Wingspan: about 14 - 16 mm.
Host: Honeysuckle. The caterpillars feed on the buds and leaves. Sometimes they mine the leaves.
Throughout the year. The moth overwinters.
Europe, introduced in America.

Photos 16-10-2012. German: Geißblattgeistchen.

Chimabachidae.

Diurnea fagella. Family Chimabachidae.

The females have short wings and can't fly. Males can be both light and dark.
Host plants are deciduous trees like beech, oak and birch. The eggs are deposited on the bark.

It hibernates as a pupa.
March - May. One generation.
Wingspan 19 - 29 mm.
Europe.

Photo 8-4-2011 German: Buchenmotte

Metalmark moths, Choreutidae.

Anthophila fabriciana. Family Metalmark moths (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.

Apple Leaf Skeletonizer (Choreutis pariana). Family Metalmark moths (Choreutidae).

The wings are reddish brown to gray with a dark zigzag line with a light band. The head is grey brown.

Host plant for the caterpillar: Mainly apple (Malus) It eats the chlorophyll from the upper surface of the leaf, thus you get the skeleton of the leaf.
It is not a very common moth in the Netherlands and it flies mainly in gardens with apple trees.
Wingspan 11 to 15 mm.
Especially in July and September. Two generations.
Native to Europe, Asia. Introduced in North America.

Photo 23-7-2012.

Incurvariidae.

Incurvaria masculella. Family Incurvariidae.

Features: Brown wings with white spots. The males have combed antennas.
The young larva is a leaf miner (May, June). After the first moult, they make an excision out of the mine and live on the soil feeding on dry leaves.
Photo 10-7-2012.
The hostplants are hawthorn (especially in Great-Britain) oak, birch, rose, common bilberry.The caterpillar hibernates.
April - June
Wingspan 12 - 16 mm.
Europe.

Incurvaria pectinea. Family Incurvariidae.

It looks like the Incurvaria pectinea. The spots of the I. pectinea are not as sharply defined. The wings are brown but paler.
The young larva is a leaf miner like the lava of the Incurvaria masculella
Host plants: Deciduous trees like birch, apple, hazel, hornbeam.
April - May.
Wingspan 12 - 16 mm.
Europe. Photo 8-5-2013.

Concealer moths (Oecophoridae).

Esperia sulphurella. Family Concealer moths (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 Family Oecophoridae.

A year later on the same place 6-5-2010

German: Admiral French: Vulcain

Harpella forficella. Family Concealer moths (Oecophoridae).

Like other members of the family Oecophoridae the palps are very large..
The caterpillar feeds on decayed wood, but can also be found in tree fungus of deciduous trees. It is often found on sandy soils.
It hibernates as a caterpillar.
June - September.
Wingspan 19 - 29 mm.
Europe

Photo 17-7-2011

Brown House-moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella). Family Concealer moths (Oecophoridae).

The palps are large. On the wing are three dark spots.
The caterpillar eats both plant and animal substances. For example seeds, wool, skins, dead insects, dried plants. They are also found in bird nests. Like the moth in the picture, they are much in the house and they are harmful.
It hibernates as a caterpillar.
Flying all year. especially in July and August.
Wingspan 15 to 26 mm.
This species is native to Asia, but now it lives in many parts of the world.

Photos 4-10-2011

Metalampra cinnamomea. Family Concealer moths (Oecophoridae). Rare in the Netherlands!!

A reddish brown concealer moth with yellow markings on the wings.

The caterpillar lives in tree fungi and possibly also in the rotting wood underneath.
May - October.
Wingspan 10 - 14 mm.
It is very similar to the Metalampra Italica. Living in Southern Europe, but is also found in England and Switzerland.

Photos 4-7-2012.

Gracillariidae.
From Wikipedia: The first to fifth-instar larvae of the Gracillariidae are usually very flattened and have possess specialised mouthparts adapted for feeding on sap. The major part of the caterpillars live as a leaf miner in leaves. Older-instar larvae are cylindrical and have normal chewing mouthparts for feeding on plant tissue within the leaf mines, and have a fully functional silk-producing organ, the "spinneret".

Lilac Leafminer, Privet Leafminer (Gracillaria syringella). Subfamily Gracillariinae. Family Gracillariidae.

Forewings are brown with light stripes and spots. Variable. (compare it to the last two pictures below) Hindwings brownish gray.
May - August. Two generations. The pupae overwinter.
Wingspan: 10 - 13 mm.
Host plants for the caterpillars are different species of lilac (Syringa), privet (Ligustrum) and Ash (Fraxinus). Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves along the veins.

Photos 5-5-2013.

German: Fliedermotte

Horse-chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella). Subfamily Gracillariinae. Family Gracillariidae.

Formerly all the leaves of our horse chestnuts were beautiful green in summer. Now they begin to brown in June already. That's because of the larvae of the chestnut leaf miner. The larvae eat through the veins of the leaves and making large parts brown. (see photo below). The chestnut leaf miner isn't native in the Netherlands. In 1985 it was found for the first time in Europe. (1999, Netherlands) It is probably from Asia. Amazing that all trees are brown by the larva of such a small insect. The moth is 5 mm long. It has a few natural enemies like the great tits and some parasitic wasps.
The forewings are shiny light brown with white bands. The hindwings are dark gray.
May - September. Several generations. Wingspan: 8 mm.
Photos 18-5-2013 and 26-6-2012.

German: Rosskastanienminiermotte, Balkan-Miniermotte

Plutellidae.

Plutella porrectella. Familie Plutellidae.

A light gray moth with in the longitudinal direction a brown line. The antennas have near the tip three dark rings.
Wingspan: 14 to 17 mm.
The moth flies easily away when you walk through the garden.
Host plants for the caterpillar: Dame's violet (Hesperis matronalis).
April to November. Two generations. The caterpillars distort or connect the leaves with silk. The eggs overwinter. The caterpillars pupate in a cocoon at the underside of a leaf.
Europe, Asia Minor, North America.

Photos 14-8-2012.

Plume moths (Pterophoridae).

Amblyptilia acanthadactyla. Family Plume moths (Pterophoridae).

I found this moth in the pantry. It flies mostly during dusk. Previously, it was found only in the south of the Netherlands. Now it is a common moth. The moth overwinters.
The caterpillar ives is low plants. Including on currency, on different types of geraniums and heather.
The Amblyptilia acanthadactyla can be seen all year. (Between April and August overlapping generations)

Wingspan: 17 - 23 mm.

Photo 15-6-2011

T-Moth or Morning-glory Plume Moth (Emmelina monodactyla). Family Plume moths (Pterophoridae).

A very general moth.The plume moth is similar to other plume moths of the genus Stenoptilia. The colour is variable. From rusty brown to gray-white.
They fly at dusk and at night.
They fly almost the whole year. Especially in August, September. The moth overwinters.
Wingspan: 18 to 27 mm.
Host plants for the caterpillars are particularly plants from the bindweed family, but they are also found on other plants.
Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America, Mexico.

Photo 23-7-2012. French: Le Ptérophore commun

Clearwing moths (Sesiidae).

Currant Clearwing (Synanthedon tipuliformis) Family clearwing moths (Sesiidae) It is a day-active moth.

Like the broad-bordered bee hawk-moth it has transparent wings. It has a yellow collar. The young butterflies have two yellow lines on the thorax. The black abdomen of the males has three yellow bands. The females have two yellow bands.
Wingspan 17 - 20 mm.
Host plants of the genus Ribes and Spindle Tree. Caterpillars eat the bark and the wood. They hibernate in the branch.
Flight time: May to July. One generation.
Palearctic. Now also in North America, Asia and Australia.

Photo 1-6-2011. German: Johannisbeerglasflügler

Sphingidae.

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

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 hibernates 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

German: Mittlere Weinschwärmer French: Grand sphinx de la vigne

Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) Family Sphingidae.
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. Wingspan: 38-45 mm.
Flight time: May - July. In the Netherlands it is found in the coastal and sandy areas.
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.
German: Hummelschwärme French: sphinx fuciforme, Sphinx-Gazé ou Sphinx du Chèvrefeuille

Fungus moths, tineid moths (Tineidae).
Many species can be harmful because the caterpillars feed on dead organic material.

European Grain Moth (Nemapogon granella). Subfamily Nemapogoninae. Family fungus moths, tineid moths (Tineidae).

The forewings are irregularly mottled dark brown, white and grey. The grey-brown hind wings are surrounded by a fringe of long hair. On the head a tuft of yellowish-white hairs. It looks like the Nemapogon cloacella. The white spot in the center 3/4 of the wing is characteristic: present at N. cloacella and absent at N. granella .
Almost the whole year.
Wingspan: 10 -15 mm.
Host plants for the caterpillar are mushrooms, decaying or dead wood, dried products such as mushrooms and berries, grean, flour etc.
Worldwide.

Photos 26-9-2012.

Ermine moths (Yponomeutidae).

Ermine moth (Yponomeuta). Family Ermine moths (Yponomeutidae).

Perhaps Spindle Ermine (Yponomeuta cagnagella) But that isn't certain, because there are more dotted moths, which resemble and so far I haven't seen caterpillars in the spindle tree. The Orchard Ermine (Yponomeuta padella), and the Apple Ermine (Yponomeuta malinellus) are very similar. All the caterpillars have it their own food plants.
It's a day-flying moth.
Wingspan: 19 to 26 millimeters.
Flying time: June - October. Fortunately only one generation.
They overwinter as young caterpillars in the food plant. The caterpillars feed within a communal web. This web can completely cover a tree or bush. The webs protect the caterpillars from predators. They can strip the plant completely. When they pupate, the tree or bush will recover. The caterpillars haven't poisonous setae (hairs) like the Processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea).

Photo 9-8-2010. On ragwort

Argyresthia goedartella Genus Argyresthia. Family Ermine moths (Yponomeutidae).

A golden night butterfly with white bands.
They fly both at night and afternoons.
Wingspan: 10 to 13 millimeters.
Flying time: May to October.
Host plants: birch, alder.
Larva mines young shoots and catkins of these trees. There it overwinters. After the winter it leaves that place and pupates in a cocoon under the bark.
Europe, North America.

Photo 23-7-2011.

Burnet moths, Forester moths, Smoky moths (Zygaenidae).

Not in the garden but in the dunes 3 km from our house.

Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae). Family Burnet moths, Forester moths, Smoky moths (Zygaenidae).

A diurnal moth. The red spots on the black forewings resemble drops of blood. The hind wings are red.
It is sometimes mistaken for the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae).
Wingspan: about 38 mm.
Host plants for the caterpillar are Bird's-foot Trefoil and Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil.
Mei - August. One generation. The caterpillars overwinter.
Europe.

Photos 26-7-2012. German: Sechsfleck-Widderchen French: Zygène de la spirée

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