Last night, I left a glass of juice on the table (ok, it was one of the kids), thinking nothing of it. This morning, I found an unexpected guest taking a swim: a Herald moth! Named Harold on the spot, this tiny creature had somehow mistaken my drink for a cozy resting spot.
After rescuing Harold and setting him free from the glass, I did some reading and discovered how fascinating these moths are. The Herald moth (Scoliopteryx libatrix) is a winter survival expert, hibernating in caves, cellars, or other dark, cool spaces to endure the cold months. Its beautifully patterned wings, resembling a heraldic shield, are not just for show—they provide excellent camouflage against tree bark and leaves.
Herald moths are known for their sweet tooth, feeding on nectar and overripe fruits during late summer and autumn to build up energy for their winter hibernation. Harold, it seems, couldn’t resist my juice either! After carefully picking him out, he dried his delicate wings and fluttered off somewhere. Now, I haven’t seen him since.
With the cold weather outside and the warmth indoors not ideal for a moth’s wintering needs, I’m pondering where Harold might settle. For now, I’ll assume he’s resting nearby, preparing for his next nocturnal adventure. To make his visits a bit safer, I’ll swap any tempting glasses of juice for a plate with diluted honey or a slice of orange—something more moth-friendly.
Here’s hoping Harold finds a cozy corner to hibernate in soon!
Have you ever had a moth surprise you in such an unusual way? Let me know—I’d love to hear your stories!
Ilze
Discover more from a day in the life of a latvian mom
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
a day in the life of a latvian mom 
It was not a moth that was surprising, but what it attracted that was, featured in this post: https://derrickjknight.com/2012/09/03/bats/
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a fascinating story, Derrick! It’s amazing how something as simple as a moth can bring such unexpected visitors. Bats are such intriguing creatures, and it must have been quite an experience to witness them up close. Thank you for sharing this delightful post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated Ilze
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve seen those pretty little moths before and I’m so happy you rescued Harrold! I haven’t had much interaction with moths but recently I went up to clean the church and found a ginormous shimmery green beetle floating in the baptistry. I thought it was dead, so I got the net and fished him out, thinking to put him outside. Halfway to the door he flew up and perched on the ledge of one of our stained glass windows. Guess he’d just been taking a swim. So he lived another day to enjoy some good old fashioned preaching, lol.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love those beetles too—they’re so beautiful! What a lucky rescue for him, and what an incredible story. I can just picture him enjoying the stained glass and the preaching, haha. Nature has such a way of surprising us
LikeLike
He’s a cute little dude!
LikeLiked by 1 person
..and cool too 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person