Spotted A Jersey Tiger Moth In London?

Once a rarity in the UK, this beautiful moth is now finding a home in London. Have you spotted one?

I thought it was a confused butterfly. Surely the bright-orange flutter over my bedside lamp could not be a moth? Moths are grey, drab things, aren't they?

But a quick google and I was corrected. This is the Jersey tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria). As its common name suggests, the dazzling insect is usually a resident of Jersey. But warming temperatures have brought it to the UK.

I read that the moth initially colonised Dorset and Devon. Its push further north is very recent, with occasional sightings in London, and as far north as Bedfordshire.

Here it was, fluttering around my bedroom at the very northern-most extreme of London — or Borehamwood, Hertfordshire as some people have it.

It's such a beautiful creature that I thought I'd share the sighting on here, and see if any readers have also made its acquaintance in the London area (comments below). Apparently, the Jersey tiger is happy flying in either the daytime or night time, giving us our word of the day: it is a cathemeral moth. Look for it during the summer in "gardens, rough ground and coastal cliffs," none of which are accurate descriptions of my bedroom. Not usually, anyway.

Have you spotted the Jersey tiger in the London area? Please let us know in the comments.