Cheshire
Macro-Moths - Oak Eggar
The
Oak Eggar- Lasiocampa quercus quercus Linnaeus
Imago / Adult:
The adult moth (imago) varies between 58mm and 90 mm
in wingspan. The ground colour is a gingerish brown. It is a resident
species with the males flying wildly during the daytime and the females
taking flight by night. It is single brooded with its flight period
being between July and August. A localised moth in the Vice-Counties
of Cheshire (VC-58) and South Lancashire (VC-59), it tends to be commonest
on heaths and moorland.
Larva:
The larvae vary dramatically in size depending upon
both genetic factors and also foodplant nutrition value. They are
usually between 65 and 85mm in length, with the female larvae usually
being larger than the males. The blackish-brown body is heavily covered
with gingerish brown hairs. The head is speckled with grey and brown,
whilst the spiracles are distinct and white in colour.
Foodplant(s):
The variety of acceptable foodplants is wide and includes:
Heather, bramble, sallow, broom, blackthorn (sloe), hawthorn, ivy
and bilberry.
Overwintering:
The moth overwinters as a third instar / half-grown
larva.