Photo © Mike Wall

Poplar Kitten

Furcula bifida

Checklist Number
71.007 [B&F: 1998]

Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity

Classification

Family:Notodontidae
Subfamily:Cerurinae
Genus:Furcula
Species:bifida
Authority:(Brahm, 1787)

Local in woodland, plantations and gardens throughout England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widely distributed, but not particularly common. Wingspan 44-48 mm. The main confusion species is Sallow Kitten F. furcula, but F. furcula is smaller and outer edge of central cross-band is usually rather irregular and usually only finely outlined in black in the leading half, while in F. bifida the outer margin of the median fascia is black and more evenly curved (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on Poplar and Aspen, 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)