Cheshire
Macro-Moths - Ghost Moth
The
Ghost Moth - Hepialus humuli humuli Linnaeus
Imago / Adult:
The adult moth (imago) varies between 44 and 48 millimetres
wingspan. The males wing ground colour is generally white though it
may show colouration or faintish markings of buff to brown which are
more usual in the female. The males hover over clumps of grasses in
the early dusk light their whiteness making them quite visible in
the fading light and giving rise to their English name. The females
are the sexual initiators seeking out the hovering (or 'leking/lekking')
males and knocking them to the ground. The species is a resident moth
being single brooded and on the wing in June and July in open grassy
places. It is a common moth in the Vice-Counties of Cheshire (VC-58)
and South Lancashire (VC-59). The moth comes readily to both MV and
actinic light sources.
Larva:
The larvae, usually 28 to 32 mm in length. They are
the glossy, dirty white colour with an orange-brown head often associated
with subterranean larvae from many different orders. The spiracles
are a very dark brown in colour.
Foodplant(s):
The larvae feed between August and May on the roots
of grasses and low growing herbs such as docks (Rumex sp.)
Overwintering:
The moth overwinters as a larva and depending upon
the food value of the plant roots in the habitat occupied may take
two years to develop to an adult.