Photo © David G Green

Fox Moth

Macrothylacia rubi

Checklist Number
66.008 [B&F: 1638]

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

Classification

Family:Lasiocampidae
Subfamily:Lasiocampinae
Genus:Macrothylacia
Species:rubi
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common on heathland, moorland, downland, damp meadows, sand-dunes and open woodland throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight still common on heaths and along the coast. Sometimes, as at Needs Ore in 1996, larvae occur in great profusion in autumn, though they evidently suffer considerable mortality during hibernation. Wingspan male 52-60 mm, female 58-78 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Heather, Bilberry, Bramble, Meadowsweet and Salad Burnet.

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)