LACKEY |
MALACOSOMA NEUSTRIA |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 25 - 35mm. A triangular shaped moth with a foreground wing colour ranging from pale yellow to dark brown. Two slightly curved cross-lines across the forewings are always present. The fringes of the forewings are chequered. Females are always larger. CHRYSALIS: Pupa found in tough yellow cocoon deep within herbage. LARVA: Brown with blue, red, white and black longitudinal stripes and covered in long hairs. The larva live together in tents which are created to regulate their temperatures. Feeding on a variety of trees including Hawthorn, Sallow, Bramble and Oak. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light. HABITAT: Found generally in open areas. FLIGHT PERIOD: July to August. STATUS: Common throughout Southern Britain. |