Water Ermine (Spilosoma urticae, (Esper, 1789))

General Information

Pupates in leaf litter.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 18-21mm.
Foodplant(s): Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum), Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris), Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica), Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), herbaceous plants
Flying: One generation, June-July
UK Presence: Resident
National status:

Habitat

Fens, wet meadows, marshes, ditches, vegetated shingle.

Regional Information

There are no records in the system yet in Bulgaria.

Similar Species

Gotse Delchev, SW Bulgaria, 11th May 2015. Light trap.

White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda

Gotse Delchev, 4th May 2014. Light trap. Male.

Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica

10568 Water Ermine Spilosoma urticae, (Esper, 1789)

BF2062 (ABH72.021)