Lasiocampidae: Pinarinae

1640 (ABH66.010) Drinker Euthrix potatoria, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR06767

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 27-07-2021. Light trap.
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 27-07-2021. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Cambs. 21st Sept., 2007. 3rd instar (pre-hib.) (ex Mark Botham)
Cambs. 21st Sept., 2007. 3rd instar (pre-hib.) (ex Mark Botham)
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
early instar, Monks Wood
early instar, Monks Wood
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hillesden, Bucks
Hillesden, Bucks
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Male drinker moths are large and reddish-brown with orange veins running through the wings. They have an orange furry body. The females are larger and generally more yellowish in appearance, and have a very much larger abdomen. The females often find it difficult to fly properly because of their large size. Both have two whitish markings in the centre of the forewing. The colouring and markings can vary somewhat.

 

Pupates in a papery cocoon usually on a grass stem.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: M 21-25mm. F 28-35mm.
Foodplant(s): Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), couches (Elytrigia spp.), Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos), course grasses, reeds (Phragmites spp.)
Flying: One generation, July-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Damp grassland, fens, marshes, damp woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 106 (39.3%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2023

Recorded date range (Adult): 20 May to 07 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 04 April to 24 October



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
black, grey, orange, blue
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5