66.003 BF1634

The Lackey Malacosoma neustria

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 25-35 mm.

The adults of this species are relatively dull in coloration, but the caterpillars are much more colourful, with orange, white and blue stripes on a dark brown ground colour.

The larvae feed gregariously in a web of silk, on hawthorn (Crataegus), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and other trees and shrubs.

Occurring mainly in the southern half of Britain, the flight period is July to August.