Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria
Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria
Adult • Monk's Wood NNR, Cambs. • © Nick Greatorex-Davies

70.244 BF1923

Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria

(Linnaeus, 1761)


Wingspan 35-45 mm.

A rich reddish-brown moth, only the males have the feathery antennae which give rise to its English name.

The species is quite commonly distributed in Britain, though more locally in Scotland.

The single generation flies in the autumn, from September to November.

In spring, the caterpillars feed on a number of deciduous trees and shrubs.
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