Lasiocampidae

66.011 Small Lappet Phyllodesma ilicifolia (Linnaeus, 1758)

Former resident, presumed extinct

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 18 to 20mm

Habitats: Moorland and open woodland.

Habits: The moth comes to light. Although nocturnal most records were of a larva sitting on the foodplant. The last British record was at light at Weston-super-Mare in 1965.

Foodplant: The British larva fed on Bilberry. It pupates in a cocoon formed amongst plant debris just above the soil.

On mainland Europe it also feeds on birch, sallow and other trees.