66.006 BF1636

Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Wingspan 40-55 mm.

In common with many of the Lasiocampidae, the females of this species are larger than the males, though otherwise similar in appearance.

The hairy caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses and plants.

It occurs rather locally, on coastal sand hills in the north-west and south-west of Britain as the nominate subspecies trifolii. In Kent, the subspecies flava, known as Pale Grass Eggar, occurs at Dungeness.

Adults fly at night in August and September, when they are attracted to light.