Celebrate the festive season with our round-up of Christmassy moth species...
Chestnut

We won’t be roasting this Chestnut any time soon, although this moth does often share the same colour as the traditional Christmas snack. However, its colours can vary from light to dark orange brown and is sometimes quite marbled in appearance.
Herald

Although this Herald doesn’t sing, it is a beautiful and distinctive moth that is a delight to see. You won’t spot it at Christmas, however, unless you find one hibernating in your shed or an outbuilding, as this moth is usually a sign of the spring and summer.
Orange Moth

If you’ve been good, you might just get an Orange in your moth trap this year. The Orange Moth lives up to its name with its orange appearance, although the males tend to be a bit brighter than the females.
Mouse Moth

If it’s the night before Christmas, you won’t spot this mouse stirring. The Mouse Moth, which has a rather mousey brown appearance, is only around from July to September. If you do come across one, it’s like to scuttle away like a mouse rather than fly!
Frosted Green

The Frosted Green has a festive feel with its colours resembling the frost-tipped green foliage which decorates houses at this time of year. However, this pretty moth can only be spotted in April and May in the southern half of England and Wales.
Pine Carpet

This sandy-brown moth resembles the trunk of a pine tree, but its caterpillar is the dark green of the pine needles, which is helpful for camouflage when they’re feeding on Scots Pines.
Nutmeg

Despite its spicy name, this moth might be considered a bit plain. However, its mottled brown and grey wings do help with camouflage. It also has another festive connection in that its caterpillars enjoy a plant commonly known as Goosefoot.
Antler Moth

The Antler Moth’s name comes from the distinctive cream markings on its wings that resemble Rudolph’s headgear. And, much like Santa’s reindeer, the caterpillars like to graze on grasses.
Mistletoe Marble

The name for this micromoth comes from the foodplant enjoyed by its caterpillars - Mistletoe. Mistletoe can grow on lots of trees, but in Britian its more commonly hosted by apple trees. The dramatic decline in the number of traditional orchards has sadly impacted on the population of this little moth.
Chocolate-tip

Although not your usual Christmas treat, the Chocolate-tip is certainly a joy to find. With its wings closed, its clever camouflage makes it look exactly like part of a tree branch!
Sloe Pug

The caterpillars of the Sloe Pug enjoy eating the flowers of Blackthorn which produces the sloes that are often used to create the favourite Christmas tipple, sloe gin. Harvest your own sloes by planting Blackthorn in your outdoor space at home and help the Sloe Pug at the same.
Did you know there are around 2,500 species of moth in the UK? Discover the weird and wonderful world of moths by visiting Moths Matter | Butterfly Conservation