Buff Ermine

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The Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum) is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Spilarctia. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.

Related Topics:
Moth - Arctiidae - Spilarctia - Palearctic - Near East

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The wings of this species are buffish yellow (the males tend to be more yellow in colour than the females) and are typically marked with a diagonal row of dark spots on the forewing and a few other scattered spots on both forewings and hindwings. The extent of black markings varies considerably however, from almost spotless examples to largely black melanic forms. The wingspan is 34-42 mm. The species flies from May to July* and is attracted to light.

Related Topics:
Melanic - Wingspan

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The larva is pale brown and very hairy. It is polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants (see list). This species overwinters as a pupa.

Related Topics:
Larva - Polyphagous - Tree - Shrub - Herbaceous - Pupa

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• The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
 
Buff Ermine: Recorded food plants ►