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
Iain Leach
Black Arches - Lez Round
Black Arches
Lez Round
Black Arches (side view) - Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (side view)
Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches - Dave Shenton
Black Arches
Dave Shenton
Black Arches (dark form) - Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (dark form)
Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (dark form) - Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (dark form)
Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (caterpillar)
Black Arches (caterpillar) - Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (caterpillar)
Ryszard Szczygieł
Black Arches (pupa) - gbohne via Flickr
Black Arches (pupa)
gbohne via Flickr