White Ermine Moth

• with a wingspan of 34-48mm the white ermine moth is common throughout Northern Ireland
• the caterpillars are hairy and greyish brown and  have a red stripe on the back which is very distinctive
• it overwinters as a pupa in substantial cocoons made of silk and larval hairs, amongst debris on the ground.
• the caterpillars feed during August and September on a wide variety of wild and garden plants including Cut-leaved dead-nettle, Dandelion, Henbit dead-nettle, Red dead-nettle, White dead-nettle.
• can be seen in a wide variety of habitats including hedgerows and urban gardens
• despite its name, this moth is often variable in colour with some adults having cream to buff-coloured forewings
• forewings of most adults are pale ochreous white with small black markings, which vary in number and intensity of dotting
• head parts white and quite hairy
• the single generation flies from late May to July and there is occasionally a small second brood in early autumn
• this species often comes to lighted windows and appear frequently in traps in moderate numbers