Photo © Mike Wall

Apple Ermine

Yponomeuta malinellus

Checklist Number
16.003 [B&F: 0426]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Yponomeutidae
Subfamily:Yponomeutinae
Genus:Yponomeuta
Species:malinellus
Authority:Zeller, 1838

Local in orchards throughout much of Britain as far north as the central lowlands of Scotland, but less common than formerly, probably because of the extensive use of insecticides (MBGBI Vol 3). Widespread at low numbers across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, but there can be limited confidence about the accuracy of many records as the adult moth cannot be reliably differentiated from Y. padella as an imago, although Orchard Ermine Y. padella is normally greyish while the present species has a white ground colour to the forewing, but the two species only reliably separated with reference to the larval foodplant. Larva feeds on Apple, living gregariously within a silken web.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)