Pale Tussock
Calliteara pudibunda
Description
Wingspan 42mm male 60mm female. The male has orange-brown filamentous antennae. The fore-wings are patterned with bars in shades of grey. The female lacks the male's darker broad central bar.
Habitat
Hedgerows, woodland edge and scrubby places. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of broadleaved trees and shrubs. Used to be a pest in hop-fields.
Status and distribution
Common and widely distributed in England and Wales. Absent from Scotland. Common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.
Best time to see
May to June.