Page 527 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
DISTRIBUTION Europe, western Asia
HABITAT Wet woodlands and coppiced woodlands
HOST PLANTS Various trees and bushes but mostly poplar (Populus spp.) and
willow (Salix spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar whose distinctive appearance gives the species its name
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but regionally endangered

ADULT WINGSPAN
1¾–2⅛ in (45–55 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (30 mm)
NOTODONTA TRITOPHUS
THREE-HUMPED PROMINENT 525

(DENNIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER, 1775)

The Three-humped Prominent caterpillar has, as its name
indicates, three rear-pointing humps on its back. Its strange
appearance is further exaggerated when it raises its posterior
end while feeding. After hatching from eggs laid on their host
plant, the larvae are active from June to September, when they
can be found feeding in the canopy of trees such as poplar and
willow. The species overwinters as a pupa, and the adult moths
are on the wing from April to August. There is usually a single
generation, and in some places there may be two generations.

This species, clearly named for its caterpillar, thrives in light
woodland, where sunlight can reach the woodland floor.
However, this type of habitat is in decline and under threat
in some regions as a result of clearance and through neglect,
as woodlands become less managed. Notodonta tritophus is
sometimes classi ed as N. phoebe.

The Three-humped Prominent caterpillar is
brown or olive green, with three backward-
facing humps on the abdomen and a further
forward-pointing hump at the end of the
abdomen. The spiracles are ringed in white,
and there are many tiny, white spots scattered
Actual size over the body. The head is brown with many
small, black spots.