The females are much larger than the males, but both rest with distinctive forward-facing furry legs. The markings are usually darker and more extensive in the males, which also have feathered orange-brown antennae. The males often come to light in larger numbers than the females.
The larvae are a bright greenish-yellow, with four tufts of golden yellow hairs. They grow slowly between late June and early October, then overwinter as pupae.
Size and Family
- Family – Tussock moths (Lymantriidae)
- Large Sized
- Wingspan Range – 42-62mm
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
A wide variety of broadleaved trees and shrubs including hawthorns, Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris), cultivated fruit trees, oaks, birches, Hazel (Corylus avellana), limes, elms, Hop (Humulus lupulus) and Barberry (Berberis vulgaris).
Habitat
Frequently found in gardens, hedgerows and parks. Also found in woodland, scrub and other bushy places.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales and Ireland
- Common and very well distributed in England and Wales, north to Cumbria. Local on the Isle of Man and absent from Scotland. Well distributed in Ireland except for the north-west.
Pale Tussock by Iain Leach
Pale Tussock
Pale Tussock by Iain Leach
Pale Tussock by Heath McDonald
Pale Tussock
Pale Tussock by Heath McDonald
Pale Tussock by Lez Round
Pale Tussock
Pale Tussock by Lez Round
Pale Tussock by Rob Blanken
Pale Tussock
Pale Tussock by Rob Blanken
Pale Tussock - Koen Thonissen
Pale Tussock
Koen Thonissen
Pale Tussock - Dave Shenton
Pale Tussock
Dave Shenton
Pale Tussock (male and female) - Clive Jones
Pale Tussock (male and female)
Clive Jones
Pale Tussock (antennae) - Dave Shenton
Pale Tussock (antennae)
Dave Shenton
Pale Tussock (caterpillar) by Bob Eade
Pale Tussock (caterpillar)
Pale Tussock (caterpillar) by Bob Eade
Pale Tussock (caterpillar) by Ryszard Szczygieł
Pale Tussock (caterpillar)
Pale Tussock (caterpillar) by Ryszard Szczygieł
