Photo © Simon Ingram

Lackey

Malacosoma neustria

Checklist Number
66.003 [B&F: 1634]

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

Classification

Family:Lasiocampidae
Subfamily:Poecilicampinae
Genus:Malacosoma
Species:neustria
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common on heaths, gardens and open woodland in the southern half of England, Wales and Ireland, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and usually fairly common in the three vice-counties, the gregarious larvae still a familiar sight, though certainly much less so than 30 years ago. Wingspan male 32-36 mm, female 40-44 mm. Similar to Ground Lackey M. castrensis, which see for differences. Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Plum, Apple and Cherry, living gregariously within a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

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)