Page 591 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nolidae
DISTRIBUTION Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and across northern Asia
to Russian Far East; also Canada (British Columbia)
HABITAT Woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Rosaceae family, including Cotoneaster spp., Malus spp.,
Prunus spp., and Sorbus spp.
NOTE Small, hairy caterpillar that is found in woodlands and hedgerows
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but not considered to be at risk

ADULT WINGSPAN
⁄ –¾ in (15–20 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
¾ in (20 mm)
NOLA CUCULLATELLA
SHORT-CLOAKED MOTH 589

(LINNAEUS, 1758)

The caterpillars of the Short-cloaked Moth hatch from ribbed,
round eggs laid on leaves of the host plant. The young larvae

feed brie y after hatching, before crawling into small cracks
in the bark, where they spend the winter. They become active
again in late spring. The cocoon, which is found attached to
twigs, is made from silk, hairs, and pieces of wood, giving it
a pale brown coloration.

The moths—nocturnal and attracted to light—are on the
wing in June and July, and there is a single generation. Nola
cucullatella is widespread across Europe and northern Asia,
and recently it has been discovered near the port of Vancouver
in British Columbia, Canada, where it most likely arrived in
cargo. The species gets its common name from the dark, basal
coloring on the wings, which, when the wings are folded at rest,
creates the appearance of a short cloak. The species name comes
from the Latin word cuculla, meaning “hood.”

Actual size
The Short-cloaked Moth caterpillar is small
and hairy, chestnut brown in color, and with
a dorsal white stripe, which is broken on the
fourth segment. There is a ring of tubercles on
each segment, bearing tufts of long, white hairs.
The head is dark brown.