Photo © Mike Wall

Vapourer

Orgyia antiqua

Checklist Number
72.017 [B&F: 2026]

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

Classification

Family:Erebidae
Subfamily:Lymantriinae
Genus:Orgyia
Species:antiqua
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common in urban gardens and parks, open woodland, fens, hedgerows, heathland and moorland throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 35-38 mm, female wingless. Male day-flying, occasionally coming to light. The main confusion species is Scarce Vapourer O. recens, which differs in having a white subapical spot. Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Birch, Hazel, Sallow, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Elm, Lime and Oak, 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)