UKMoths The Lackey Malacosoma neustria - 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.
66.003 BF1634
The Lackey Malacosoma neustria
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Wingspan 25-35 mm.
The adults of this species are relatively dull in coloration, but the caterpillars are much more colourful, with orange, white and blue stripes on a dark brown ground colour.
The larvae feed gregariously in a web of silk, on hawthorn (Crataegus), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and other trees and shrubs.
Occurring mainly in the southern half of Britain, the flight period is July to August.
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