72.010 BF2033 - Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha

72.010 BF2033 - Erebidae - Xyleninae - Lymantria monacha - Black Arches

Adult Macro: CAT 1 - Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Macro >> . >> Erebidae

ID Difficulty: green

- easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.

ID pointers: A fairly distinctive all white moth with numerous black jagged marks, cross-lines & patterning across the wings, with pink bands on the abdomen. A bold black central crescent in the forewing which is where the moth gets its name.

Distribution: (First record: 01/08/1977 at Matlock ) - (Last record: 18/08/2024 at Elvaston ) - First record from Matlock in 1977.Another one trapped in Matlock in 2001 and then one at Robin Wood in South Derbyshire in 2008 and one at Darley Dale in 2009. Next record was one at Kings Newton 21st August 2013. Since, this moth has now been recorded, in small numbers, from a wide range of sites, particularly across the south of the county.

Flight Period: July / August / - On the wing July – August

Moth Activity: Nocturnal

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Wingspan: 30-50mm
Forewing: 18-28mm

Food Plant: Oak (Quercus), but sometimes on coniferous trees.

Last Recorded Date: 18/08/2024

First Recorded Date: 01/08/1977

IMAGES BELOW: Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison © – Allestree – Stephen Plant © / Belper (2024) – Dave Evans