Jayne Lillywhite finds out more about these wonderful insects

I’m a butterfly lover and, in true elitist fashion, have always tended to overlook moths. But in the last few years, I’ve come to appreciate that they are just as beautiful and even more fascinating.

Moths and butterflies are closely related and are often hard to tell apart. There are about 60 species of butterfly in the UK, but 2,500 different types of moth. I’ve found it easier to learn to recognise the common butterflies and realise that nearly all others are moths. With a similar life cycle to butterflies, of an egg, caterpillar, pupa and adult, moths come in all shapes, sizes and colours. They can be found throughout the year, even the depths of winter. Some moths live for just a few days, while some spend years as caterpillars. Moths are a vital part of the food chain, as they pollinate many plants and their caterpillars are essential food for plenty of different birds.

Sadly moths are suffering the same fate as the UK’s butterflies. Numerous species have already declined drastically and many others are heading the same way. The reasons for the losses are not understood fully. But it is thought to be a combination of a big reduction in the number of wildlife-rich places due to changing agriculture and development, light pollution, pesticide use and, of course, climate change.

You can help moths by:

• leaving a few untidy places in your garden

• reducing the amount of pesticide you use

• growing a wide variety of plants, including small trees and shrubs

• slowing climate change by reducing the amount of electricity you use

• joining a wildlife charity that is working to protect moths, such as Butterfly Conservation: www.butterfly-conservation.org

• All the species shown in this article are relatively common moths that you can see flying during the day. Look carefully and you’ll probably spot some of them.

National Moth Night – 7th June

Launched in 1999, National Moth Night is an annual celebration of moths and moth recording. People are encouraged to get out and find out what species are flying. The results are pooled and form Britain’s largest moth survey. Find out more at www.nationalmothnight.info

The Moths Count project

Developed by the charity Butterfly Conservation, Moths Count aims to encourage moth recording throughout the UK. It has established an ongoing National Moth Recording Scheme to improve our knowledge and conservation of the 900 or so species of larger moth. To find out more, visit www.mothscount.org

Why not get involved in Garden Moths Count, which runs from 21 June to 6 July? Anyone can take part in this exciting, nationwide survey and discover more about the amazing moths that live in our gardens. Visit www.mothcount.brc.ac.uk/default.aspx for more information.

Moth myths

Myth: moths fly only at night.

Reality: many species fly during the day – as this article illustrates.

Myth: moths look drab and dull.

Reality: absolutely not. Many species are very colourful. Even the brown and darker moths can be richly-patterned. Moths are truly beautiful insects.

Myth: moths eat clothes.

Reality: actually there are only about six species that eat clothes, and it is the caterpillars that do the damage.