Caterpillars of the
World - Britain
Yellow-tail moth
Euproctis similis
FUESSLY,
1775
Family -
LYMANTRIDAE
subfamily -
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult
Euproctis similis, Oxfordshire,
England
Introduction
The family Lymantridae comprises
about 350 genera and 2,500 species worldwide. There are 11 species
recorded from Britain, including the Vapourer, the Black Arches,
and two species which have become extinct in the UK - the Reed
Tussock and the Gipsy moth.
Habitats
This
species is found in woodland edge habitats, on scrubby grassland,
along hedgerows, and in parks and gardens at altitudes between sea
level and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
The larvae of
most of the Lymantridae have
dense tufts of hair on their back, hence the popular name
"tussock" moths. Other species including the Yellow-tail moth have
larvae that are devoid of dorsal tussocks but have lateral tufts of
hair instead. In some species such as the Brown-tail
Euproctis
chrysorrhoea the hairs have irritating properties which can cause
a rash in susceptible people. Many tropical species of Lymantridae
also have irritant or poisonous hairs.
Adult
The adult Yellow-tail has as its
name suggests, a bright yellow tip to its abdomen. The rest of the
body and wings are pure white and unmarked.
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