Photo © Mike Wall

Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

Checklist Number
71.003 [B&F: 1995]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Notodontidae
Subfamily:Cerurinae
Genus:Cerura
Species:vinula
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common in gardens, hedgerows, open woodland, moorland and scrub, throughout the British Isles, but rare at high altitude. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, widespread, but seen only in small numbers. Wingspan 62-80mm. Amongst resident species, unmistakable, although the very similar Feline Cerura erminea has been recorded twice on the Channel Islands. Larva feeds on Black Poplar, White Poplar, Aspen and Goat Willow, over-wintering as a pupa.

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)