Let caterpillars feast this spring say RHS and The Wildlife Trusts as they launch gardens campaign in support of moths - The Wildlife Trusts

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Wildlife Trusts are urging people to support moths this year as they celebrate the 2,500 species found in the UK.

Moths are vital pollinators and an important indicator of environmental health, yet their numbers are declining – moth numbers have fallen by a third since the 1960s (33%) owing to urbanisation, climate change and pollution. The two charities’ annual Wild About Gardens campaign sets out today (4 March 2026) to equip gardeners with the information they need to better understand moths and create spaces that will help them to thrive - including their very hungry caterpillars.

While some caterpillars feast on a smorgasbord of plants, some are picky eaters, feeding on just one or a handful of species of plant. Some are so small they live within plant leaves and are known as leaf miners while others are brilliantly camouflaged resembling twigs, bark or even bird droppings. Caterpillars are high on the menu of other garden animals, especially birds, mammals and larger insects.

Adult moths also display striking colours and markings to rival their close relative the butterfly. Ones to spot include the pink and olive-green elephant hawk moth whose caterpillar puffs up to resemble a snake when threatened, lunar hornet moth disguised as a wasp, and contrasting Jersey tiger moth in red, cream and black.

Moths are largely nocturnal but 150 species are active during the day – more than double the number of UK species of butterfly.