Wild Wednesday - December moth
As winter sets in, a truly resilient species takes to the wing, the December moth. Adults emerge from October, with peak sightings in December. Remarkably, this moth is among the few you might still encounter outdoors during the coldest time of year.
A fluffy, charcoal-grey moth, with a wingspan 30 to 45 millimetres, displaying wavy creamy lines. Females are larger and males have feathery antennae.
The adult moth is incapable of feeding. The caterpillars can be found from April to June feeding on broadleaved trees such as oak, birch, elm, hawthorns, blackthorn. Mainly found in woodland but also scrub, hedgerows and established gardens. They fly at night and are attracted to light.
The Latin name is Poecilocampa populi, which has Greek meaning of 'varied larva that lives on poplar.'
Life Cycle
- eggs - laid in the winter on deciduous trees like oak, birch, poplar, hawthorn, elm, and blackthorn
- caterpillars - hatch in April to June, feeding on tree leaves before pupating under bark or in leaf litter
- camouflage and safety - their thick fur-like scales insulate them against the cold. Emerging in winter helps avoid predators like bats
The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre notes around 1,912 moth species recorded in East and West Sussex.
Where to look … gardens with deciduous trees, woodland edges, hedgerows, or parks-especially near streetlights or external house lights.
When to look … after dusk throughout December, with warm, damp evenings attract more moths.
Read more here: December moth | The Wildlife Trusts
Photo credit: Stephen French Butterfly Conservation (@savebutterflies) • Instagram photos and videos