66.004 BF1635

Ground Lackey Malacosoma castrensis

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 31-41

A very local species in the British Isles, restricted to parts of the south-eastern coastal counties.

The moths fly in July and August, but are only infrequently encountered, usually by light-trapping.

The colourful larvae are more showy, sometimes basking in the sunshine. They feed on a range of saltmarsh plants such as sea wormwood (Artemisia maritima) and sea-lavender (Limonium vulgare).