Erebidae

72.018 Scarce Vapourer Orgyia recens (Hübner, [1819])

RDB

Similar species: The male Vapourer Orgyia antiqua has paler brown wings and lacks the orange and white markings at the wing tips. The female Vapourer is less hairy than the Scarce Vapourer female.

Forewing: M 13 to 17mm

Habitats: Damp woodland, wet lowland heathland, fens and bogs.

Habits: The male flies in sunshine while searching out the wingless female that remains resting on her cocoon, which is where she lays her eggs.

Foodplant: The larva feeds mainly on Hawthorn, oaks or sallows, but also on Blackthorn, Bramble, roses, Alder Buckthorn, Hazel, Siver Birch, Downy Birch, Heather, Meadowsweet, Rosebay Willowherb, Common Sorrel, other deciduous trees and shrubs and sometimes Meadow Rue and Water Dock. It overwinters as a larva among the leaves of its foodplant. Pupation takes place in a cocoon on the foodplant.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Alder and apple.