The Lyons Share

The Butt-tip (Phalera nicotina), or Greater Snout as it is colloquially known, is a common urban moth. It has evolved to hide in plain sight among discarded cigarette butts. It can therefore be found in pub gardens, high-streets and (in abundance) in lay-bys. Attracted to lighters. Occasionally they will drink from water-filled ash trays. Anyone expecting to get one last drag from this 'cigarette' will get a nasty surprise though as the moth will emit a hot, foul liquid from its back end. The adults find their only food-plant, broom, when they are swept up after last orders.

The Atomic Kitten (Furcula katonaii) is a recently described species new to science in the family Notodontinae. The larvae are reported to feed only on enriched uranium and the adult is readily attracted to limelight. If threatened, the moth can emit an ear-shattering screech on three frequencies simultaneously. It was particularly abundant in the late nineties/early naughties but is now much scarcer, probably extinct.