
Some, like painted lady butterflies, migrate south to warmer climates, others, such as ladybirds, huddle together for warmth, while many will time the stages of their lifecycle to ensure they spend the winter secreted away as an egg, caterpillar or pupa. However, some hardy moths can front out the season as adults by employing some very ingenious strategies. The first is alcohol…not swigging mulled wine and eggnog, but specialist alcohols inside their bodies that act like ‘anti-freeze’ to stop ice-crystals forming. They can also expel water from their system to prevent their insides freezing and also create their own body heat by vibrating their wings. These specialisms enable them to fly on cold nights and you may be lucky enough to catch sight of one.