MOTHS
MOTH LARVAE
Ramshorn Bagworm Luffia lapidella
©Raymond Small TQ4692 02/05/2024
11.009 Ramshorn Bagworm The larvae of this species construct cases from lichens in which they live. Only parthenogenetic (self-fertile) wingless females are known in this species.
Water-droplet Brown Depressaria daucella
©Raymond Small TQ4792 11/06/2024
32.039 Water-dropwort Brown is a rather plain moth. Its much more attractive larvae feed on flowers and seeds of Hemlock water-dropwort, a highly poisonous plant (to humans) that grows by Hainault Lake. The larvae stitch florets of the umbellifer together with tough silken threads to form a hidden tunnel. They burrow into the stem usually close to a joint and then pop out throughout the day during sunshine. This species was formerly known as the 'Dingy flat-body'.
White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla
©Raymond Small TQ4692 04/06/2024
45.030 White Plume larvae feed on bindweed.
Brown Oak Tortrix Archips crataegana
©Raymond Small TQ4793 06/06/2024
49.014 Brown Oak Tortrix pupa attached to a leaf by webbing.
49.031 Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana
© Raymond Small TQ4792 02/05/2017
49.031 Timothy Tortrix The larvae lives in a folded leaf stuck together with threads to create a place of safety for itself.
Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae
©Raymond Small TQ4793 26/06/2022
Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae
©Raymond Small TQ4792 06/06/2024
54.008 Six-spot Burnet larvae feed on Bird's-foot-trefoil.
Lackey Malacosoma neustria
©Raymond Small TQ4692 03/06/2023
Lackey Malacosoma neustria
©Raymond Small TQ4792 01/06/2017
Lackey Malacosoma neustria
©Raymond Small TQ4792 15/05/2023
66.003 Lackey
has brightly coloured caterpillars live gregariously in silk spun webbing. They grow quickly eventually measuring over 5cm long. Foodplants include Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Goat willow and a range of other trees and shrubs.
Drinker Euthrix potatoria
©Raymond Small TQ4793 02/06/2023
Drinker Euthrix potatoria
©Raymond Small TQ4793 16/05/2024
66.010 Drinker has large hairy larvae that go into hibernation during October and start feeding again from April to June. They drink drops of dew from plants which is how their common name came about.
Winter Moth Operophtera brumata
©Raymond Small TQ4792 03/05/2017
70.106 Winter Moth larvae hatch during spring as buds are opening and then feed on the leaves. They move from tree to tree by spinning a silk thread and using the breeze to carry them along to the next food source. Early June the larvae drop to the ground where they pupate.
Pale Brindled Beauty Phigalia pilosaria
©Raymond Small TQ4793 05/05/2019
70.247 Pale Brindled Beauty larvae feed on broadleaved trees.
Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria
©Raymond Small TQ4792 07/05/2019
70.256 Mottled Umber larvae feed on broadleaved trees.
Puss Moth Cerura vinula
©Raymond Small TQ4792 18/07/2023
Puss Moth Cerura vinula
©Mike Rumble TQ4792 20/07/2023
Puss Moth Cerura vinula
©Raymond Small TQ4792 18/07/2023
Puss Moth Cerura vinula
©Raymond Small TQ4792 26/06/2023
Puss Moth Cerura vinula
©Raymond Small TQ4792 24/06/2023
71.003 Puss Moth caterpillars (up to 65mm long) are seen from July to September feeding on Poplar and Willow usually low down on saplings. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. If disturbed by a predator the caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.
Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac
©Raymond Small TQ4792 03/07/2024
71.013 Pebble Prominent frequents scrub, woodland and grassland habitats. Its larvae feed on poplars, aspens, willows and sallows.
Buff-tip Phalera bucephala
©Raymond Small TQ4792 22/09/2016
Buff-tip Phalera bucephala
©Raymond Small TQ4692 05/08/2024
Buff-tip Phalera bucephala
©Raymond Small TQ4692 01/08/2024
Buff-tip Phalera bucephala
©Raymond Small TQ4692 01/08/2024
71.025 Buff-tip larval foodplants include Oak, Birch, Sallow and Hazel.
Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala
©Raymond Small TQ4792 13/05/2019
Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala
©Raymond Small TQ4792 13/05/2019
Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala
©Raymond Small TQ4792 13/05/2019
73.033 Figure of Eight's larval foodplants include Blackthorn, Hawthorns, Plum, Cherry and Crab Apple.
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