Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria

Here's a moth that missed the memo about being nocturnal — this is a day-flying moth, soaking up sunshine like a butterfly while most of its relatives hide until dark. That vivid warning coloration isn't just decorative; it signals loud and clear to birds that this insect is not a good meal. On the Greek island of Rhodes, thousands gather in a shaded valley each summer in a spectacle so impressive it's called the Valley of the Butterflies.

Its underwing color is surprisingly variable — populations in northwest Europe can be red, orange, or yellow, making each individual a slightly different version of the same warning sign. With a wingspan up to 65mm, it's one of the most eye-catching moths you could stumble across on a summer walk.