Puss Moth | Hainault Forest

71.003 Puss Moth

Cerura vinula

TQ4692 10/06/2021 ©Raymond Small

On the wing from May to July. Their caterpillars (up to 65mm long) are seen from July to September feeding on Poplar and Willow usually low down on saplings. When ready to pupate the caterpillar makes a tough cocoon from chewed wood and silk. If disturbed by a predator the caterpillars raise the head and wave extendable pinkish flagellae from their twin tails. If this warning is ignored the caterpillar is able to squirt formic acid from a slit under the mouth as a defensive measure.

TQ4692 10/06/2021 ©Raymond Small

TQ4792 18/07/2023 ©Raymond Small

TQ4792 20/07/2023 ©Mike Rumble

TQ4792 18/07/2023 ©Raymond Small

TQ4792 26/06/2023 ©Raymond Small

A newly hatched Puss Moth caterpillar under a centimetre long.

Orangey-brown eggs belonging to a Puss Moth on the upper surface of a white poplar leaf. The eggs are generally laid in small groups of two or three, hatching into caterpillars within a fortnight.

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