Notodontidae

71.001 Oak Processionary Thaumetopoea processionea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Immigrant / resident on Channel Islands / naturalised adventive in SE

Similar species: Pine Processionary Thaumetopoea pityocampa is larger (M 16 to 17mm, F 18 to 22mm), lacks the pale base to the forewing and has a large and prominent crescent in the centre of the wing.

Forewing: M 14 to 16mm, F 16 to 17mm

Habitats: Woodland, parkland and amenity trees.

Habits: The moth is nocturnal and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak, Turkey Oak or many other alien oaks and occasionally on Evergreen Oak or Beech. The half grown larva lives in a silk nest on a branch or on the trunk. It pupates in the nest or sometimes on the ground.