Please help with identifying this butterfly/moth

[TraceyW]

Hello, I searched various butterfly websites without success. A friend thinks it is a moth, specifically a scarlet tiger moth. Is so, incredible pattern and vivid colours.

[millerd]

Your friend is absolutely right, Tracey!

It's a very striking insect generally only found in Wales and the southwest of England.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

I remember walking into a field full of these in the French Alps in 2017. It was an incredible spectacle to see dozens of this stunning species flying around in close proximity.

Quite a rare treat to see it in Britain.

[Neil Freeman]

It's a very striking insect generally only found in Wales and the southwest of England.

Cheers,

Dave

Although in recent years has enjoyed a rapid range expansion and is now quite common in parts of the midlands. Last year they were numerous in Warwickshire...although not yet in my garden.

Quote below from 2019 Warwickshire BC Annual Report.

Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula
This species continued to be reported, sometimes abundantly, both in rural and urban locations. There was a particularly large count of 94 adults in Leamington Spa on 16th June.

Cheers,

Neil.

[TraceyW]

Thank you for confirming.

I feel that my garden is on steroids this year - everything is so abundant and I have never seen so many insects flying around, especially in the evenings and lots of bees and hornets collecting pollen. Also lots of butterflies. Looking forward to my two buddlheia shrubs to flower to attract the butterflies.

[Chris L]

I have never seen one of those before. It is a wonderful looking moth. Thank you for sharing Tracey.

[MikeOxon]

It is, indeed, a very striking moth. The populations at my local Cothill reserve were once much studied by Oxford University geneticists. A few years ago they had a population explosion and I even found them in my garden.

Mike

[Part timer]

Doing very well in Hampshire this year, they are all over the place.