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Buff-tip Moth

©Tom Marshall

Buff-tip Moth Caterpillars

©Chris Lawrence

Buff-tip moth

It is so easy to miss this clever little moth. It is a master of disguise, blending in perfectly as it looks just like the twig of a birch tree! Flying only at night, the buff-tip moth can be seen from May to July.

Scientific name

Phalera bucephala

When to see

May to July

Species information

Statistics

Wingspan: 4.4-6.8cm
Common.

About

Blink and you may miss the buff-tip moth, which blends in perfectly with its surroundings, looking just like the twig of a birch tree. A night-flying moth, this amazing creature can be seen between May and July. The caterpillars are big, hairy and yellow with a black head and a ring of short black stripes and often gather together in large numbers.

How to identify

The buff-tip holds its wings against its body and looks remarkably similar to a birch twig. It is mainly silvery-grey in colour, with a square-cut, buffy head, and a buff patch at the end of the wings which gives it the common name.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

When it sits motionless, the colouring, shape and buff-coloured wingtips of the buff-tip moth make it perfectly camouflaged: it looks just like a broken birch twig.