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Silver Y moth

©Amy Lewis

Silver Y

The Silver Y migrates to the UK in massive numbers each year - sometimes, an estimated 220 million can reach our shores in spring! Seen throughout the year, it is very common in gardens and grasslands.

Enw gwyddonol

Autographa gamma

Pryd i'w gweld

January to December

Species information

Ystadegau

Wingspan: 3.5-4.2cm
Migrant.

Ynghylch

The Silver Y is a medium-sized moth that can be seen on warm days throughout the year, although it is most common during the late summer. At times, this migrant may be a very common visitor, especially in flowery grasslands, sand dunes and gardens. It can often be seen flying during the daytime, feeding on nectar from plants, such as Buddleia and Lavender, but also flies at night. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants, including Stinging nettles, clover and cabbages. It breeds here, but the early stages cannot survive our winter.

Sut i'w hadnabod

When at rest, the Silver Y holds its wings back along its body in a tent-like shape. The wings are patterned with dark grey, silver and brown, and display a characteristic, silver, Y-shaped mark on the forewings.

Dosbarthiad

Widespread.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

The Silver Y is a common migrant from the continent, sometimes arriving in vast numbers and often at the same time as massive immigrations of Marmalade flies and 7-spot Ladybirds, and smaller numbers of Clouded yellow butterflies and Humming-bird hawk-moths.