Scientific name: Hyloicus pinastri

Flies at night and comes to light, occurring from May to early August.

Occasionally can be found by day at rest on tree trunks or fence posts.

Size

• Large Sized 
• Wing Span Range (male to female) - 72-80mm

Conservation status

• Local (only found in some areas)

Caterpillar Description

Overwinters as a pupa. Larva feeds from late June to mid September. Found on both small tree and mature trees, and prefers older needles to young shoots. Pupates under leaf litter or just beneath the ground.

Particular Caterpillar Food Plants

Mainly Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), but occasionally Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster), Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani).

Distribution

• Countries – England
• The increase in conifer plantations in the 20th Century has enabled it to spread northwards. Well established over much of southern England, from Dorset to East Anglia. Found in parts of East Midlands and has become established in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire since 1990s.
• Distribution Trend Since 1970’s = Britain: Increasing

Habitat

Conifer plantations, shelterbelts and wooded heathland. Ooccasionally recorded in other habitats, including urban areas, these possibly wandering individuals.