Small Ermine agg. 

Yponomeuta padella/malinellus/cagnagella

There are three similar looking Ermine species that are very difficult to tell apart, but the task is easier if the foodplant is known. In Hainault Forest, the larvae of the Orchard Ermine Yponomeuta padella, are commonly observed in communal webs on blackthorn during May.  The larvae also feed on hawthorn, plum, and cherry. The presence of larval webs can be significant where the food plant is found. Larvae of the Apple Ermine, Yponomeuta malinellus, are located on apple trees. The Spindle Ermine, Yponomeuta cagnagella, can be found on spindle and evergreen euonymus. The moth shown was drawn to a light trap without knowledge of its food source, so it needed to be classified as an aggregate.