Ivy is a pain but there are good things

[davholla12]

Because of Ivy I get moths like this - which feed birds

Small Dusty Wave
(Idaea seriata),the approximate size is 6.06 mm, magnification is 1.4 grid ref TQ 40061 68736
With a wingspan of around 20mm, this rather nondescript moth is to be found in woodland, gardens and wasteland, and occurs in much of Britain except the very far north.

The caterpillars feed on a range of herbaceous plants, including ivy (Hedera).

In the south there are two generations, moths flying in June and July, and again in August and September. Further north there is a single brood flying in July and August.

Moth_5194v6 by davholla2002, on Flickr

Marsh Grey
(Eudonia pallida), the approximate size is 9.98 mm, magnification is 1.4 Grid ref TQ 40061 68736 Habitats: Marshes, fens, edges of gravel pits, sand-dunes and margins of salt-marsh.

Habits: The moth flies on warm evenings and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva overwinters while small. In the spring it lives in a silk tube feeding on Pointed Spear-moss Calliergonella cuspidata. It pupates in a frass covered cocoon.

On the European mainland it has been recorded feeding on Red-stemmed Feather-moss Pleurozium schreberi.


Moth_5190v6 by davholla2002, on Flickr