White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda, (Linnaeus, 1758))

General Information
Pupates in leaf litter.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 18-23mm.
Foodplant(s): nettles (Urtica spp.), docks (Rumex spp.), herbaceous plants
Flying: One/two generations, mid May-late July and September-October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Gardens, hedgerows, grassland, heathland, moorland and open woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 138 (51.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in April 2022

Recorded date range (Adult): 20 April to 17 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 31 May to 18 October

Similar Species

Photo © Peter Bissell

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2060 (ABH72.020) White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR10567