2030 Yellow-tail Euproctis similis
(Fuessly, 1775)
Wingspan 28-35 mm.Fairly common in England and Wales, it is local in Scotland and Ireland.
The female is larger than the male, and has a large tuft of yellow hairs at the tip of her abdomen, which is used to cover the newly-laid eggs.
It flies in July and August, occupying a number of habitats.
The caterpillars, in common with many of the Lymantriidae, are covered with irritating hairs and should only be handled with extreme care. They feed on a number of deciduous trees and shrubs.