Larvae | Hainault Forest

Mullein moth

Cucullia verbasci

TQ4893 19/05/2024 ©Brian Ecott

Mullein moth Cucullia verbasci caterpillars feed on Aaron's Rod, Figwort and Buddleia from May to July.

Drinker moth

Euthrix potatoria

TQ4793 16/05/2024 ©Raymond Small

Drinker moth caterpillars are seen during August and September before they hibernate. They resume feeding on coarse grasses and reeds from April until June.

Ramshorn Bagworm

Luffia lapidella

TQ4692 02/05/2024 ©Raymond Small

These larvae construct cases from lichens in which they live. Only parthenogenetic (self-fertile) wingless females are known in this species.

White Plume

Pterophorus pentadactyla

Larvae of the White Plume feed on bindweed.

Water-droplet Brown

Depressaria daucella

The Water-dropwort brown is a rather plain moth. Its much more attractive larvae feed on flowers and seeds of Hemlock water-dropwort, a highly poisonous plant (to humans). The larvae stitch florets of the umbellifer together with tough silken threads to form a hidden tunnel. They burrow into the stem usually close to a joint and then pop out throughout the day during sunshine. This species was formerly known as the Dingy flat-body.

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