Page 322 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Zygaenidae
DISTRIBUTION Across Europe and Russia to Russian Far East and Japan
HABITAT Forests, scrub, and heathlands
HOST PLANTS Bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia), bilberry (Vaccinium spp.),
Heather (Calluna vulgaris), and Prunus spp.
NOTE Small, slug-shaped caterpillar that has tufts of white hairs
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but classed as endangered in parts of its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
⅞–1⅓
in (22–26 mm)

CATERPILLAR LENGTH
¾–1 in (20–25 mm)
RHAGADES PRUNI
BLACKTHORN AURORA MOTH
320
(DENIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER, 1775)

The caterpillars of the Blackthorn Aurora Moth hatch from
yellow, conical-shaped eggs laid either singly or in small groups
on the host plants. The larvae feed on leaves and buds and
overwinter in the vegetation, becoming active again in spring.
After a period of further growth, the caterpillars pupate on the
host plant, spinning a white, boat-shaped cocoon.

The day- ying moths are butter y-like with an eye-catching

metallic blue body and dark wings. They are seen in June and
July, and there is a single generation. The female moths stay

close to the place where they eclosed, while the males y over
greater distances. The adults do not feed. Unusually, Rhagades

pruni is found in very di erent habitats, ranging from heathland
and bogs, dry bushy slopes, and grasslands to woodland and
hedgerow. They are under threat from the loss of scrub, drainage
of bogs, reforestation, and general development.

The Blackthorn Aurora Moth caterpillar is
small and slug-shaped. It is dark brown with
orange stripes running the length of the body.
There are rings of tubercles, each bearing a
tuft of white hairs.
Actual size