Moths: Britain’s under-threat nocturnal treasures – in pictures

Hebrew character

Moths, though sometimes overlooked in favour of butterflies, are more numerous and more varied. They hold vital roles in the ecosystem as pollinators, recyclers, and food for bats and songbirds. Since 1914 about 62 moths have become extinct in Britain alone. Habitat loss, intensive farming, commercial forestry and light pollution have caused the overall number of moths across Britain to fall by a third in 35 years. Some species have fallen by 80% or more.

Poplar hawkmoth (blue)

Yellow-tail

Light emerald

White plume

Straw dot

Four-spotted footman

Swallowtail

Eyed hawk-moth

Small phoenix

White ermine

Privet hawk-moth

Lime-speck pug

Common Quaker

Ermine moths

Gillespie says: ‘The mezzotints are entirely handmade and handprinted. I use a mixture of photographic and drawn references taken both from my own moth trapping and the collection at the museum in Exeter.’