UKMoths Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris - Distribution map
Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.
As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.
In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.
66.005 BF1633
Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Wingspan 30-40 mm.
Formerly quite common, this is now a scarce and local species, due mainly to the gradual destruction of its favourite habitat, hedgerows.
The adults, which fly in February and March, are seldom seen, but the larvae, when present, live gregariously in silken webs on the foodplant, hawthorn (Crataegus) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).
It is now restricted to a few scattered colonies in England and Ireland, and a few localities in Wales.
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