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.
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.
How people can help
To attract butterflies and moths into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders for them to feed along and climbing ivy and shrubs for overwintering insects. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there are plenty of facts and tips to get you started.
