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.