Lasiocampidae: Lasiocampidae

1633 (ABH66.005) Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR06738

ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
ex. Larva, Foxhall Close
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Female
Female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Male
Male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex larva near Woodwalton June 2006, em. 28th Feb 2007. Male.
ex larva near Woodwalton June 2006, em. 28th Feb 2007. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Male and female, March 2021
Male and female, March 2021
 Photo © Kevin Royles
Woodwalton
Woodwalton
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Woodwalton
Woodwalton
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Pupal case ex. larva, Foxhall Close - Note air holes
Pupal case ex. larva, Foxhall Close - Note air holes
 Photo © Peter Bissell


General Information

Pupates near to the ground and sometimes overwinters as such several times.

 

The larvae bask on communal webs and feed mainly at night, sometimes stripping the plant bare.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes come to light but in small numbers only.

Forewing length: 15-21mm.
Foodplant(s): Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), elms (Ulmus spp.), Spindle (Euonymus europaeus), Apple (Malus domestica), Grey Willow (Salix cinerea)
Flying: One generation, February-March
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Nationally Scarce B

Habitat

Hedgerows in open country.

Regional Information

Recorded in 94 (34.8%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in June 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 15 February to 13 July

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 27 April to 27 August

Similar Species
Great Staughton, November 2011
Great Staughton, November 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
December Moth Poecilocampa populi

Nationally Scarce B

Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Black, blue, red, brown, white
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5