BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS, INSECTS, NATURE

Spindle Ermine Moth

Spindle Ermine micro-moth (Yponomeuta cagnagella) resting with closed wings on an oak twig at Charlton Down nature Area in Dorset
Spindle Ermine micro-moth (Yponomeuta cagnagella) resting with closed white wings decorated with black dots on the edge of a leaf
Spindle Ermine micro-moth (Yponomeuta cagnagella) resting with closed wings on grass seeds, showing its small size compared with my thumb

Another micro-moth is the Spindle Ermine (Yponomeuta cagnagella). You can see in the picture above how tiny it is compared with the size of my thumb. There are several Spindle bushes in the Charlton Down Nature Area and they have the spun web nests of the caterpillars in early summer. The adults well deserve their generic name of ermine with the small black spots on white wings. One of 38 species discovered at the Charlton Down Nature Area so far.

Useful Books and Links

https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/spindle-ermine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yponomeuta_cagnagella

Britain’s Insects, A field guide to the insects of Great Britain and Ireland, Paul D. Brock, 2021, Amateur Entomological Society, Wild Guides Ltd, ISBN 978-0-691-17927-8

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winderjssc

A volunteer helper at the Charlton Down Nature Area in Dorset using a life-long interest in natural history to help improve the biodiversity and amenity value of the site. Enthusiastic about the natural world right on our doorstep, and working to enable all visitors to enjoy, learn, and appreciate the value of wilder places. Jessica writes the Charlton Down Nature Area website and blog at https://charltondownnaturearea.uk and Jessica's Nature Blog at https://natureinfocus.blog.

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  1. Pingback: List of Butterflies & Moths – Charlton Down Nature Area

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