72.015 Pale Tussock Copyright Martin Evans
72.015 Pale Tussock female Copyright Martin Evans
72.015 Pale Tussock Copyright Martin Evans
72.015 Pale Tussock Copyright Martin Evans
72.015 Pale Tussock and Dark Tussock Copyright Martin Evans
Distribution map Copyright Martin Evans
Life stages table Copyright Martin Evans 72.015 Pale Tussock Copyright Martin Evans

Erebidae

72.015 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: Dark Tussock Dicallomera fascelina often has the two outer central cross-lines with orange scales along them. The cross-lines are less often filled in between to form a band that is darker than the rest of the wing. It has grey antennae. In the north they are often much darker than the one in the picture despite that one being from the Scottish Highlands.

Forewing: 21 to 22mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, scrub, hedgerows, orchards and gardens.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on oaks, Downy Birch, Silver Birch, limes, elms, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Crab Apple, cultivated Apple, Hazel, Barberry, Hop and many other trees. The larvae were abundant in Hop fields before insecticides were introduced and were known as Hop Dogs. It pupates in a silk cocoon on the foodplant or in the leaf litter.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Beech, Hornbeam and oaks.