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The Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum) is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Spilarctia. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.
The wings of this species are buffish yellow (the males tend to be more yellow in colour than the females) and are typically marked with a diagonal row of dark spots on the forewing and a few other scattered spots on both forewings and hindwings. The extent of black markings varies considerably however, from almost spotless examples to largely black melanic forms. The wingspan is 34-42 mm. The species flies from May to July and is attracted to light.
The larva is pale brown and very hairy. It is polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants (see list). This species overwinters as a pupa.
- The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
Recorded food plants
- Alnus - Alder
- Mentha - Mint
- Plantago - Plantain
- Quercus - Oak
- Rheum - Rhubarb
- Ribes - Currant
- Rubus - Raspberry
- Rumex - Dock/Sorrel
- Senecio - Ragwort
- Urtica - Nettle
External links
References
- Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
- Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
"Buff Ermine"