Blood Moth

Known colloquially as the 'Blood Moth' due to its unique patterning and colour, and the myth that such things are merely a second form of the feared 'Vampire', the Black-Tailed Moth, or 'Red-Painted Moth', as it is known to scientists, is a common insect that can be found among the many fields and hedgerows of the mid-east Leylands around the time of dusk or early morning as a crepuscular species.
Like most of the fauna found in the Leylands, the Blood Moth is not dangerous to humans or sapient creatures, nor does it drink blood. Instead, like many of its sister species, this goat of the insect kingdom mainly subsists on nectar from flowering plants, natural fibres, left over food and even muddy puddles.

Temperament

The Blood Moth, despite its name, is a friendly creature. Clusters of the insect can be found along windowsills or fences. It doesn't seem to have any fear of humans, and will often fly to sit upon one's hand, though most say it will fly away if you attempt to touch it.

Blood Moth as Pest

While some might delight in the beauty of the creature, its ubiquitousness in Leylandish agricultural areas, its daredness, and its notorious ravenous hunger means a few blood moths nesting in your rafters can easily consume a chunk of your larder flour supply, strip crops from your fields, or render your best silks to shreds.

Several old wives' tales suggest one sure way to stop the pestilence affecting your household is to put a healthy supply of freshly crushed garlic paste down around any entrance-ways or windowsills. It is unclear whether or not this works.

Cultural Perception

"I totally saw Monseiur Lesangrejue fly out of his tower in moth form. I told you he was a vampire! Didn't I tell you? Didn't I?"

— Gleeful Molian teenager

It is unsure where the first telling of the myth that the cause of the insect's bright scarlet colour was the fact that it drinks human blood first originated, though from there it is easy to see why many folk might have coralled this story with the older ones that have existed in the Leylands for centuries: that of the Vampire.
Extending back generations, the fear of blood-drinking undead creatures has long been a part of Brassian and Molian culture in particular, with the latter's royal family even being said to descend from a line of the mythical species. Minor details have often been exaggerated to fit this narrative, such as the tales of the tenth-century Molian Queen Isadire Lesangrejue, who was said to attract these moths by the hundreds, and the origin of her house name: 'Sangrejue' meaning 'Joyous Blood' in Molian. While those of House Sangrejue attest that the name derives from their founder's wit and rapacity at Fest, those of the small-folk beg a different, mothier tale.

Scientific Name

Rubro Pictus

Origin/Ancestry

Leylandish

Conservation Status

Common

Also known as:

the 'Vampire Moth. '

Found in:

Molia , south-east Brassia, Northern Flom

Danger to humans

Zero (Yes, really.)

If any more of the damned things fly into my window I'll knock the glass through an' be done with it an' all!

— Frustrated Flomish housewife

"The Moth Queen" - Isadire Lesangrejue by Pfeffermin (using Microsoft Designer)