Photo © Keith Tailby
Alder Kitten
Furcula bicuspis
Checklist Number71.006 [B&F: 1996]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Classification
| Family: | Notodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Cerurinae |
| Genus: | Furcula |
| Species: | bicuspis |
| Authority: | (Borkhausen, 1790) |
Local in woodland, thickets, copses and gardens, from Cornwall northwards through Wales and the west Midlands to south Lancashire, and in south-east England, Norfolk and Co. Durham. In Hampshire and Isle of Wight until 1945 there was only one record, at New Milton, the specimen of which was checked by Barry Goater. However 2022 saw the first for North Hampshire, at Woolmer, with a further individual in 2023 also in the Bordon area. Increased reports in Berkshire and Surrey indicate that this is a species that appears to be undertaking a welcome range expansion.
Wingspan 40-48 mm. Compared with Sallow Kitten F. furcula and Poplar Kitten F. bifida, the central band is almost black (not grey), and distinctly pinched at its mid-point. Larva feeds on Alder, Silver Birch and Downy Birch, over-wintering as a pupa.
Update: Status update, July 2020
Update: Status update, 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)
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Milton (SZ29) | 01/06/1945 | one | R W Watson | Adult |
VC12 North Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammer Vale, Woolmer (SU83) | 29/05/2022 | one | Andy Swan | Adult |
| Whitehill (SU73) | 08/06/2023 | one | Andy Stocker | Adult |
