Can someone help identify this?

[boswandeling]

Hi there. I was wondering if someone could help me identify this

(hopefully it has attached). I know absolutely nothing about butterflies or moths and to be honest I'm not even sure whether it is a butterfly or a moth. I saw this on my wheelie bin earlier this evening but when I got close it kept flying off. When in flight I thought it looked like a red admiral or something similar, but I've never known them land and fold their wings like this. Unfortunately, It didn't stop long enough to get a picture of it's coloured wings. Any help would be gratefully received as I have searched and searched the internet and have come up with nothing.

Cheers,

Tom

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Tom - this is a Jersey Tiger moth.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Lee Hurrell]

Hi Tom,

It's a moth, the Jersey Tiger - http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=862

Cheers

Lee

[boswandeling]

Wow you guys are really quick - thanks a lot! It is obviously one of the many Jersey Tiger moths in London.

Hopefully I will find something else a little tougher next time!

Many thanks again.

[Cotswold Cockney]

I have seen this fine dayflying moth a number of times when in the west country. In flight at first sight, they remind me of the Painted lady rather than Red Admiral ... for a brief few moments until the moth's true ID becomes clear. Another occasional and colourful dayflyer moth that to my eyes does look like a Red Admiral on first sighting is the Red Underwing...

It is obviously one of the many Jersey Tiger moths in London.

OP ....Are they really numerous in the Metrollops ?
..

[Lee Hurrell]

Hi CC,

They are according to the UK moths site. I checked my old Readers Digest 'Butterflies & other insects' book (well thumbed!) first, which was published in the 80's. Back then it was an insect of the south west and channel islands.

Since then it has inhabited much of the south coast and London now holds a good population! Apparently...(I've never seen one!)

Cheers

Lee

[Cotswold Cockney]

Hi CC,

They are according to the UK moths site. I checked my old Readers Digest 'Butterflies & other insects' book (well thumbed!) first, which was published in the 80's. Back then it was an insect of the south west and channel islands.

Since then it has inhabited much of the south coast and London now holds a good population! Apparently...(I've never seen one!)

Cheers

Lee

Very interesting ... Global warming encroachment...

....we're all doomed ... simply a matter of time ....