71.009 BF1999

Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 45-60 mm.

This unassuming species gets its English name not from the adult moth, but from the remarkable crustacean-like appearance of the caterpillar.

It is mainly distributed in the southern part of Britain, occupying woodland habitats, but is not especially common.

The larvae live on the leaves of beech (Fagus), oak (Quercus), and several other trees.