DR006 Nyridela xanthocera

Erebidae (Arctiidae), Arctiinae - Wingspan: 42mm.

One of the "Wasp Moths", it was a common species in this area. Good numbers came to the trap on; 29th May (1), 31st May (5), 2nd June (3), 6th June (8) - all the trapping nights. Overnight on the 31st May, a pair mated and the female finally laid a number of eggs in the collecting box. Fortunately, the eggs didn't hatch until we were on the way home, and local leaves from our garden were tried to find a UK foodplants. After losing a couple of the early hatchlings which tried leaves but did not eat them successfully, I finally found that the remaining hatchlings would eat Elm (Ulmus sps) and more reluctantly, Sallow (Salix sps). I now have pictures of the instars which I'll include here once they are downloaded.