BUFF ERMINE |
SPILOSOMA LUTEUM |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 27 - 40mm. The forewings of this moth are buffish-yellow marked with a diagonal broken line and several other dark spots. These markings can be quite variable with almost entirely black specimens recorded. The thorax is hairy and the abdomen yellow. The hindwings are concolourous each with a discal spot. Females are generally paler in colour than males. CHRYSALIS: Overwinters in this stage. LARVA: Dark or light brown covered in reddish-orange hairs. It is polyphagous feeding on a wide variety of plants. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light. HABITAT: Coastal areas, parks, gardens, open woodland and urban areas. FLIGHT PERIOD: Single brooded. May to July. STATUS: Resident and common. |