Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2008. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Buff ermine moth - Spilosoma lutea - Family: Arctiidae

Buff ermine moth - Spilosoma luteaBuff ermine moth - Spilosoma lutea
© Rob Wolton/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

The buff ermine moth has a sandy buff-yellow body and forewings, with a furry thorax. It is speckled black on its abdomen and forewings and has noticeable black antennae. The pale whitish-green eggs are laid in batches on the leaves of the food plant.

The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of wild and garden plants and on trees including birch and elder, but do not cause any obvious damage to foliage. The chrysalis is reddish-brown and glossy, and is enclosed in a dingy coloured web-cocoon, which is spun among leaves or litter on the ground. The buff ermine moth is widespread and common throughout the country, and can be seen from May until mid-July.

Food

Birch (Betula sp.) and elder (Sambucus nigra).

Plants

Bramble, Common nettle, Dandelion, Elder, Silver birch