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The White Ermine Moth is a common species throughout much of the British Isles. The species flies mainly in a single generation from May to July with an occasional second generation in southern regions. The adult moth has a wingspan of approximately 40 mm. Forewings are white with a variable number of black spots.
White all over with black spots and black antennae, the White Ermine moth is widespread and common throughout Norfolk. Recorded in 67 (91%) of 74 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1834.
Similar species: Buff Ermine Spilosoma lutea is cream-buff or whitish-buff rather than white and is less spotted except for the diagonal line of spots from the apex to the trailing edge of the forewing which also shows through from the underside of the wing in plainer specimens.
Key Identification Features: White forewings with small black dots. Large hairy thorax. Yellow abdomen and black dorsal bars. Sets: . Flight Period: Early May until the beginning of September. Status: Widely distributed and commonly encountered throughout all counties.
Learn about the White Ermine moth and their identification. Get details about their size, their life cycle, the caterpillar and their diet, the pupa and the adult moth
A white moth with small black spots on the forewing, however, the number of black spots varies greatly from largely white examples which are almost entirely plain to those with many more spots that may even join together to form streaks along the wing veins.
Spilosoma lubricipeda, the white ermine, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found throughout the temperate belt of Eurasia from Europe through Kazakhstan and southern Siberia to Amur Region, China, Korea and Japan.
