The adults fly at night and are attracted to light, especially the males. They can sometimes be found resting on tree trunks or posts during the day. The caterpillars can be found from April to June after they have overwintered as eggs.

Size and Family

  • Family – Tussock moths (Lymantriidae)
  • Medium Sized
  • Wingspan Range – 36-56mm

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Local (only found in some areas)

Caterpillar Food Plants

Mainly Pedunculate Oak (Quercus Robur) and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) but also other trees including Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), birches and elms.

Habitat

Woodland and parks with mature oaks.

Distribution

  • Countries – England and Wales
  • Well distributed in the southern section of England, East Anglia and the south Midlands. Local in Lincolnshire, west Wales and the Isle of Man.
Black Arches - Iain Leach

Black Arches

Black Arches - Lez Round

Black Arches

Black Arches (side view) - Ryszard Szczygieł

Black Arches (side view)

Black Arches - Dave Shenton

Black Arches

Black Arches (dark form) - Ryszard Szczygieł

Black Arches (dark form)

Black Arches (dark form) - Ryszard Szczygieł

Black Arches (dark form)

Black Arches

Black Arches (caterpillar)

Black Arches (caterpillar) - Ryszard Szczygieł

Black Arches (caterpillar)

Black Arches (pupa) - gbohne via Flickr

Black Arches (pupa)