Pic 1: The conspicuous patterns serve as a warning to predators, because the moth’s body fluids are poisonous. The moth normally hides its hindwing under the cryptic forewings when resting. If a threat is perceived, the moth quickly shows its red colour and flies away. The moth is nocturnal so I suspect that its day appearance was due to it being disturbed or having recently emerged. It certainly seemed very disorientated.

Pic 2: Being a night flying moth this Garden Tiger felt restless and uncomfortable in the daylight and was not going to hang about. I had to be quick so dialled in my usual flash settings but forgot to turn the flash on!  The pic was way underexposed but I decided to keep it as I read that the Garden Tiger’s numbers in the UK have declined by 89% over the past 30 years.

Kenfig Nature Reserve, Bridgend, South Wales.