Pale Eggar
A small member of this family, the male Pale Eggar is a light whitish-grey moth with a darker grey cross-bar across the forewings. The female Pale Eggar is slightly larger than the male, with slightly duller markings. The larvae are covered in hairs, and are largely dark blue in colour, with a pair of black-ringed white spots on each segment, and either orange or yellow stripes on each segment.
Identification
A small member of this family, the male Pale Eggar is a light whitish-grey moth with a darker grey cross-bar across the forewings. The female Pale Eggar is slightly larger than the male, with slightly duller markings. The larvae are covered in hairs, and are largely dark blue in colour, with a pair of black-ringed white spots on each segment, and either orange or yellow stripes on each segment.
ORDER
Lepidoptera
FAMILY
Lasiocampidae
TYPE
Moths
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread but thinly distributed in England, Wales and Scotland. This species has suffered major declines in recent years, being lost by almost 60% of its British distribution between 1970 and 2016, and decling in abundance by almost 90%. In Dorset and Somerset the Pale Eggar is widespread, but like the national trend, has declined in recent years.
At Wyke Farm the Pale Eggar is infrequent, but has still been recorded in recent years.
Habitat
The Pale Eggar can be found in habitats where scrubs can grow in sunny situations, such as in open woodlands, scrubland and hedgerows.
Diet
A range of trees and shrubs, but mainly Hawthorn, Blackthorn and birches.
When to see them
The adults fly during August and September, where they can be attracted to light.
The larvae can be found between April and June, on the foodplant.
