Lasiocampidae: Malacosomatinae

1634 (ABH66.003) Lackey Malacosoma neustria, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR06743

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, 13th June 2020. Light trap. Male.
Hemingford Grey, 13th June 2020. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Woodwalton Farm, May 2007.
Woodwalton Farm, May 2007.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood, 17th May, 2005.
Monks Wood, 17th May, 2005.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Woodwalton Farm, 1st June 2007.
Woodwalton Farm, 1st June 2007.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Lackey moths are highly variable in colour, ranging from sandy yellow to dark brown with faint wide cross-lines on both sets of wings.

 

The larvae feed in communal webs on low shrubs and sometimes trees and are commonly found in suburban hedges and planting schemes.

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

Forewing length: 13-16mm.
Foodplant(s): hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), sallows (Salix spp.), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Apple (Malus domestica), oaks (Quercus spp.), cherries (Prunus spp.), broadleaved trees, broadleaved shrubs
Flying: One generation, July-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Open, sunny locations especially hedgerows, scrubby places, gardens and open woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 118 (43.7%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2023

Recorded date range (Adult): 04 May to 02 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 29 April to 05 July



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Blue, white, black, orange, red
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5