Photo © Keith Tailby

Water Ermine

Spilosoma urticae

Checklist Number
72.021 [B&F: 2062]

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

Classification

Family:Erebidae
Subfamily:Arctiinae
Genus:Spilosoma
Species:urticae
Authority:(Esper, 1789)

Nationally scarce (Nb) in fens, water meadows and marshes, south and east of a line from the Wash to the Severn. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight although always very local, in the past this species was not uncommon, especially in the valleys of the Avon and Stour. However, since 1987, has only been reliably recorded twice, at West Park in June 2002 and Blashford Lakes in August 2007. Wingspan 38-46 mm. May be confused with very plain forms of White Ermine S. lubricipeda, but Water Ermine has the wings pure white, with very few black dots on the forewing and the basal segment of the labial palpus yellow (MBGBI Vol 9). Also superficially similar to Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica, but Water Ermine has abdomen yellow. A photograph or specimen will be required for future records to be accepted. Larva feeds on Water Mint, Water Dock, Yellow Loosestrife and Yellow Iris, over-wintering as a pupa.
Update: Add recording requirements (July 2020)

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)

VC8 Wiltshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Martin Down NNR (SU01)1986-Paul Toynton-
West Park (SU11)15/06/2002oneDavid G GreenAdult

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Sandown (SZ58)1902oneIWGAdult
Sandown (SZ68)1912oneBlenkamAdult
Sandown (SZ58)7143oneR H FoxLarval
Sandown (SZ58)9345oneR H FoxLarval
Alverstone (SZ58)1934twoH A StowellAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Bishops Dyke, NF (SU30)11/06/1967oneGeorge R ElseAdult
Browndown (SZ59)1969-David M Appleton-
Minstead (SU21)1976-L W SiggsAdult
Leigh Park (SU70)25/06/1986oneBarry CollinsAdult
Leigh Park (SU70)29/06/1986oneBarry CollinsAdult