A common resident from the south midlands northwards but widely considered an immigrant in the south. The forewing is white with black dots which are considerably more numerous than in related species.
Can be seen in large numbers both as a caterpillar and adult moth, often coming to light.
Flight Season
Flies at night from June to September in a single brood.
Size and Family
- Family – Yponomeutinae
- Small Sized
- Wingspan Range – 16-25mm
Conservation Status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common resident/Immigrant
Caterpillar Food Plants
The caterpillars feed gregariously in a web on and are sometimes a pest of Bird Cherry (Prunus padus). The web can cover whole trees.
Habitat
Can be found almost anywhere, often far from the known foodplant.
Distribution
-
Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
-
Imported/possible resident

Bird-cherry Ermine - Ryszard Szczygieł
Bird-cherry Ermine
Ryszard Szczygieł

Bird-cherry Ermine - Lez Round
Bird-cherry Ermine
Lez Round

Bird-cherry Ermine - Lez Round
Bird-cherry Ermine
Lez Round

Bird-cherry Ermine - Stuart Read
Bird-cherry Ermine
Stuart Read

Bird-cherry Ermine - Koen Thonissen
Bird-cherry Ermine
Koen Thonissen

Bird-cherry Ermine - Koen Thonissen
Bird-cherry Ermine
Koen Thonissen

Bird-cherry Ermine - Dave Shenton
Bird-cherry Ermine
Dave Shenton

Bird-cherry Ermine - Dave Shenton
Bird-cherry Ermine
Dave Shenton

Bird-cherry Ermine (larval nest) - Vlad Proklov
Bird-cherry Ermine (larval nest)
Vlad Proklov

Bird-cherry Ermine (caterpillar) - Ilia Ustyantsev
Bird-cherry Ermine (caterpillar)
Ilia Ustyantsev

Ilia Ustyantsev
Bird-cherry Ermine (caterpillars & cocoons)
Ilia Ustyantsev

Bird-cherry Ermine (pupa) - Ilia Ustyantsev
Bird-cherry Ermine (pupa)
Ilia Ustyantsev