THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Upon their emergence in September, bilberry moths usually creep up the tree trunks beneath which the food plant grows.  They bear a most striking resemblance to a piece of twig projecting from the bark.  In colour the moths are greyish, with lighter or darker markings.  When at rest, the forewings are folded closely round the body, and this is raised above the bark of the tree trunk.  In this position the insects remain motionless, their likeness to twigs being almost perfect.  Two spots on the wings also aid the deception by their resemblance to small knotty rings, as if smaller pieces of twig had been broken off close to the main stem.  As may be imagined this moth is by no means easy to find, and several hours can be spent in searching for it without success.

Elgee/Moorlands, 1912