INSECTS

LEPIDOPTERA / EREBIDAE [72]

The Erebidae is a diverse group with its moths greatly varying in shape, size and habits. Tussocks, Ermines, Tigers, Footman moths, Snouts, Fan-foots, Blacknecks and Underwings all belong to this family.

72.002 Straw Dot is found in damp meadows and woodland from May to September. Its larvae feed on various grasses.

72.003 Snout has a very long upturned palps or 'snout'. It frequents locations where nettles grow.

72.010 Black Arches frequents mature woodland and scrub containing Oak. Males have feathered antennae and are smaller than females. The larvae feed on Oak and sometimes coniferous trees.

72.011 Gypsy Moth  was once thought to have gone extinct in Britain from about 1900. It is now establishing itself again in south-east England. Foodplants are Bog-myrtle and Creeping Willow, however eggs have been found on Oak and other broadleaf trees so those are probably used as foodplants too.

72.013 Yellow-tail fly durimg July and August, and occasionally later in the year. They have a bold yellow tip to the abdomen and one or more black spots at the corner of the white forewing. Their larvae feed on broadleaved trees and shrubs.

72.015 Pale Tussock flies in May and June frequenting hedgerows, woodland and scrub. It rests with its very hairy front legs stretched forward. The larvae are seen during Autumn.

72.017 Vapourer males fly from June until September. They are brown with a large white spot on each forewing. The female is almost wingless and normally remains on the cocoon from which she emerged. Strands of silk from her cocoon can often be seen underneath the eggs.

72.019 Buff Ermine males fly from May to July. This species has buff wings with variable dark markings. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants.

72.020 White Ermine flies from May to July. Its larvae feed on Nettles and Dock.

72.022 Muslin Moth flies from April to June. Males are nocturnal and females diurnal. Males are light brown; females are white. Both sexes are speckled with black.The larvae feed on herbaceous plants.

72.024 Ruby Tiger flies from April to September. A reddish-brown moth with bright red and black-dotted abdomen. The larvae feed on herbaceous plants.

72.026 Garden Tiger is a declining species that mostly flies at night during July and August. The larvae feed on herbaceous plants such as Nettles, Docks and Burdocks.

72.030 Jersey Tiger originates from the Channel Islands and since 2017 has become a common sight in the Hainault area. It flies during daytime from July to September and many people mistake it for an orange-coloured butterfly when flying. The larvae feed on Nettles, Hemp-agrimony, Plantains and other shrubs.

Jersey Tiger Movie

72.031 Cinnabar is a day-flying species that frequents habitats where Common Ragwort grows. Adults are seen from May to August. The striped orange and black larvae are seen in large numbers in the meadows on ragwort during July. 

72.043 Buff Footman flies in woodland and scrubland from June until August. It is grey with orange or yellow fringes and leading edge to wings. The female slightly larger and browner than the male. The larvae feed on lichens.

72.044 Dingy Footman  inhabits scrub, heathland and woodland during July and August. Lichens are the foodplant this species feeds on.

72.045 Common Footman lives in scrub, heathland and woodland during June until August. This species feeds on lichens.

72.046 Scarce Footman is found in scrub, heathland and woodland during July and August. This species feeds on lichens. It holds its wings furled tightly around the body compared to the Common Footman.

72.049 Orange Footman  is found in mature Oak and Beech woodland and Blackthorn scrub. Its larvae feed on lichens.

72.057 Plumed Fan-foot was a rare migrant that is now breeding southeast England. It flies from June to October. The larvae feed on Broom and Ivy.

72.063 Blackneck flies in June and July. The larvae feed on Tufted Vetch.

72.066 Waved Black is a fairly scarce moth on the wing from June to September. Its larvae feed on fungi.

72.069 Beautiful Hook-tip is found in woodland, scrub and hedgerows from June to October. The larvae feed on lichens.

72.083 Burnet Companion is a day-flying moth often found in company with Burnet moths, hence the name. Flies from May to July. Foodplants include Clovers, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Black Medick, Lucerne and other vetches and trefoils.

72.084 Mother Shipton is a day-flying moth found in meadows when the sun shines. Its name is a reference to 'Old Mother Shipton', the 16th Century witch whose face can be seen on the wings.