Page 522 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
DISTRIBUTION Europe and into Asia
HABITAT Wet woodlands, scrub, and heathlands
HOST PLANTS Deciduous trees, including birch (Betula spp.), poplar (Populus spp.),
sallow (Salix caprea, Salix cinerea), and other willows (Salix spp.)
NOTE Bright green caterpillar that has a long tail spur
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN

1 ⁄ –1⅜ in (27–35 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH

1⅜ in (35 mm)

FURCULA FURCULA
SALLOW KITTEN
520
(CLERK, 1759)

Sallow Kitten caterpillars hatch from eggs laid in small groups
on the surface of leaves, then feed on a range of trees and shrubs.
When fully developed, the caterpillars make a tough cocoon
by gnawing off bits of bark, which they intertwine with
silk. The cocoon is securely xed to a tree trunk or branch. The

pupa overwinters, and the moth adults eclose the following
spring. There is only one generation a year in the northern parts
of the species’ range but usually a second generation in the south.

Furcula furcula moths are on the wing from April until late
August. The common name is derived from the appearance of
the adult, which has a furry head and front legs, like a kitten.
Though they tend to be smaller, Sallow Kitten larvae can
The Sallow Kitten caterpillar is bright green with be confused with those of the Puss Moth (Cerura vinula). Both
a prominent, forked tail spur. There is a brown the adult and caterpillar are also very similar in appearance
stripe running from the head along the top of the

body, which extends laterally to create a V shape to the closely related Poplar Kitten (Furcula bi da).
when viewed from the side, as it does in the
similar Puss Moth caterpillar. There are
numerous small lateral spots ringed in white.

Actual size