White Ermine
Spilosoma lubricipeda
51.8766, 0.946906
Field Notes
Description:
A striking, medium sized moth (around 3 or 4cm). It has a white fuzzy body, black antennae and eyes, and brilliant white wings with small black dots on them. On the top side of their abdomens and legs, they have orange markings, denoting that they are in fact poisonous to eat. Fairly common in Britain, though this is the first one I've seen! Generally flies from May to July, though can be seen later than that in the south of England.
Habitat:
Found throughout the temperate areas of Eurasia. The larvae are unusual in that they don't have a single host plant, and can be found on a variety of herbaceous plants.
Notes:
I found this one sitting on some concrete steps on my way into work. I picked him up and moved him to an area away from foot traffic to avoid getting stepped on!
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