Alley moth

There is an understandable feeling among many of us that wildlife enjoys green fields and rolling hills as much as we humans do. This is not always the case. Some of the most unpromising landscapes in the country are home to a rich variety of animal and plant species. Take this alley in Walthamstow in outer east London which is where I found today's moth.

Tarmac, high walls and not particularly interesting vegetation. But it was enough to attract this littles crap of a micro-mothwhich fluttered in front of the buggy as Penny and I took our granddaughter for an expedition. I think that it's a Light Brown Apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana, which first made it to Britain from its native Cornwall in 1936. It has never looked back and is now found in most of England and Wales, a lot of Scotland and a fair part of Ireland. Please let me know if you disagree.

Our own little one was satisfied with it, after previous encounters with ladybirds, flies and a centipede on the short walk from home. I didn't know about the Australian connection at the time but will tell her when we meet again tomorrow.