72.019 BF2061 - Buff Ermine - Erebidae - Spilosoma lutea

72.019 BF2061 - Erebidae - Arctiinae - Spilosoma lutea - Buff Ermine

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

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Generally Common / Widespread

Taxonomy: Macro >> Erebidae

ID Difficulty: green

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

ID pointers: Quiet a distinctive species with very broad creamy-buff coloured fore-wings with a slightly paler hind-wing. The row of black spots and speckles that run diagonally from forewing tip to trailing edge are diagnostic. There is also a white form and a very rare form with mainly black wings.

Distribution: A resident species in Derbyshire that is widely distributed and common in all areas. Largest population densities are found in the Trent Valley and the Coal Measures. Noticeably more abundant in urban areas than rural.

Flight Period: May / June / July / August / - On the wing May – August.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Wingspan: 28-40mm
Forewing: 17-22mm

Food Plant: Herbaceous plants, bushes and trees.

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne, South Derbyshire – Tony Davison ©