If you live in southern England and Wales, you may have been lucky enough to spot a very striking day-flying moth this year, which is new to the Big Butterfly Count identification chart.
Often confused for a butterfly because of its beautiful colours and patterns, the Jersey Tiger moth flies during the day as well as at night and can be spotted in increasing numbers across the south of the UK, including London.
The adult Jersey Tiger can be found flying on warm days, visiting flowers such as Buddleia. They also fly at night and like gardens, rough and disturbed ground, hedgerows, coastal cliffs and higher parts of beaches.
Butterfly Conservation’s annual three-week citizen science project, the Big Butterfly Count, is now well underway. With just a few days to go, over 100,000 butterfly counts have already been recorded, with experts encouraging more of us to sign up this year.
The UK-wide survey is open to everyone, of any age, living in towns, cities or the countryside. Those taking part are asked to spend just 15 minutes in an outdoor space counting the amount and type of butterflies and day-flying moths they see. The results are then logged onto an interactive map and compared to findings from previous years.
The aim of the campaign is to assess the health of our environment and to inspire people to help protect butterflies and other pollinators, which are declining in the UK.
The Big Butterfly Count runs until Sunday 8th August 2021. To sign up and submit your sightings, visit; www.bigbutterflycount.org – or download the free Big Butterfly Count app.
Main image: Jersey Tiger © Luigi Sebastian, Butterfly Conservation
Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland
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Jersey Tiger seen, photographed and identified this morning in Me8 8hw. Rainham Kent.
Another Jersey Tiger seen at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton on Thursday 12th Aug 2021
27/07/2024
Jersey Tiger moth seen/photographed.
BS4 (Knowle, Bristol)
There is a JT hanging out in my garden, regularly seen this summer in Reading Berks :)
Mistaken several times for an Admiral until it landed – stunning moth 😁
Jersey Tiger moth, at Rhoose Vale of Glamorgan 9am 16/0/21
Jersey Tiger photographed in Biggleswade Bedfordshire on 17/08/21.
Jersey Tiger moth seen in High Barnet on 15 August 2021.
Jersey Tiger Moth spotted in Rochester Kent ME1 2XD today 3.9.21
Jersey Tiger moth spotted at 2pm. on 21/09/2021 at Farley Green, near Albury , Surrey. Post Code GU5
I have a Jersey Tiger caterpillar munching its way through my rose leaves
Jersey tiger seen Bedford town centre, Bedfordshire. 18th Jult 2022
Jersey tiger moth seen in Westhumble , Surrey on 18th July
Jersey tiger moth in NW London 23rd July. There is a Buddlea nearby.
Spotted a jersey tiger yesterday in worcester park
spotted a jersey tiger in worcester park 28/07/2022
Spotted a jersey tiger today 30/7/22 in West Molesey KT8, next to a Butterfly bush.
Jersey Tiger Epping . 11:30 31/07/2022
Photo Taken
We have photograph 2 jersey moths in addlestone surrey
seen in Maidenhead SL6 garden 08/08/22 mid morning on window in sunshine
jersey tiger moth seen and photographed on 01/08//2022 at New Romney, Kent.
We saw a Jersey tiger moth today 7augudt 2022 at Plymouth City Centre devon it was taken with my phone .never seen one before .it was on a empty shop window.
Jersey Tiger moth seen 10 am 4th August on SW Coastal path at Ringstead Bay Dorset.
Jersey Tiger moth in my garden this morning in Garston, North Watford, Hertfordshire.
Jersey tiger moth flew around me indoors last night, then landed on some books so I could take a photo. This morning it was fluttering at the french windows, narrowly avoided becoming a light snack for my Wolfhound puppy, and escaped into the garden. Maidstone, Kent.
Does Brittany count? (I know not for the British survey.) Saw one today in Huelgoat, Finistère.
Jersey Tiger in my garden in Great Torrington this morning 25/8/2022.
I filmed in july what I think is a jersey hawk moth but it is white with black stripes?
Spotted Jersey Tiger today inside our house London SE7.
photographed a jersey tiger moth resting on tarmac pavement in Chelmsford, Essex 22nd July 2023
Tiger moth on neighbours wall in Scotland
Saw beautiful Jersey Tiger Moth at Portsmouth today (26-07-2023)
One has been spotted on August 10 in South Gloucester
Tiger moth seen on 11th 12th and 13 Aug. in Sevenoaks garden.
Jane
I just rescued one this morning from our kitchen in Faversham, North East Kent
See them about in harlow Essex .
Took picture about 10 mins ago of one that has been hanging around for a few days
Dave
17-08-23. Jersey tiger moth hanging around for the last few days .always here every year for past few years
Harlow Essex
Have found one this morning at about 10 30 in Bexhill
Several sightings of Jersey Tiger Moth this last Saturday 19, Sunday 20, & Monday 21 August 2023 in rural garden in Stone, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Jersey Tiger Moth spotted in Kenton Devon
20 July 2023 at 11.57 am
Spotted and photographed, on Rose leaf in my garden in Forest Gate, London
Spotted Jersey Tiger Moth for the first time,today 14th July 2024.,in a neighbours front garden.
Jersey tiger moth in my garden today
In cople bedford.
Spotted A Jersey Tiger Moth. Chelmsford Essex. 28/07/24.
Spotted one along an overgrown footpath in Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks this last week at about 2pm, 25c. Not seen one before so had to look it up.
Jersey Tiger Moth photographed in woodpile in back garden in Barkway Hertfordshire, close to Cambridgeshire borders, 1st one I have ever seen.
Spotted pm on 7.08.24 in my garden in Harrow, Middx
Jersey Tiger moth spotted ~18.00hrs in Horley, Surrey.
Jersey Tiger moth in my garden in Falmouth, Cornwall on 21/8/24. Have never seen one before
Jersey Tiger moth seen and photographed in Redhill,Surrey today at 15:25.
Tiger moth in our house 24 July 2025
Jersey Tiger photographed and uploaded to iNat this morning 30/07 in Hastings
Jersey tiger moth seen & photographed 3/8/25 Norton Mandeville, Ongar, Essex CM59RT
Have also seen these in previous years.
Jersey Tiger moth seen in Newbourne, Suffolk 1st August 11.30 a.m.
In St Albans, 3pm, 13 August 2025. Has flown into the house.
Jersey tiger Seen and photographed today in my garden.