Photo © Andy Mitchell

December Moth

Poecilocampa populi

Checklist Number
66.001 [B&F: 1631]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Lasiocampidae
Subfamily:Poecilicampinae
Genus:Poecilocampa
Species:populi
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common in woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common in wooded country in the three vice-counties, but doubtless still under-recorded because of the lateness of its flight period. Wingspan male 36-38 mm, female 42-48 mm. Unmistakable: no similar species fly so late in the year. Larva feeds on many deciduous tree species, including birch, oak, hawthorn and blackthorn.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)