Lasiocampidae: Poecilocampinae

06728 December Moth Poecilocampa populi, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF1631 (ABH66.001)

Christophstal, October 2013
Christophstal, October 2013
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Christophstal, October 2013
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 2012-2013
 2014
 2015
 2016-onwards


General Information

This species is unlikely to be confused with any other moth flying at the same time of year.

 

Larvae feed at night, resting along a twig or on bark during the day.

 

Pupates under bark or in plant debris.

Overwinters as an egg.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 15-21mm.
Foodplant(s): oaks (Quercus spp.), birches (Betula spp.), elms (Ulmus spp.), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), poplars (Populus spp.), sallows (Salix spp.), broadleaved trees
Flying: One generation, October-January
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Not endangered

Habitat

Mainly woodland, occasionally in scrubland, hedgerows and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 1 (0.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Baden-Württemberg.

Last recorded in October 2013

Recorded date range (Flying/Adult): 25 October to 25 October



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Blue, Grey, Green
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5