Buff Ermine
Spilosoma lutea
This record describes Spilosoma lutea (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-40 mm. The variation in the extent of black in the wings has been exaggerated by captive interbreeding, but does not occur as much in the wild. Wide range of habitats, including gardens, hedgerows, parkland and woodland. On the wing from May to July, it frequently visits artificial light. The dark brown caterpillar is covered with reddish-orange hairs, and feeds in Autumn on herbaceous plants, bushes and trees. A common resident in most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Erebidae
- Genus
- Spilosoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wide range of habitats, including gardens, hedgerows, parkland and woodland.
Seasonal Activity
On the wing from May to July, it frequently visits artificial light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The dark brown caterpillar is covered with reddish-orange hairs, and feeds in Autumn on herbaceous plants, bushes and trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A common resident in most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spilosoma lutea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Buff Ermine (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Buff Ermine
What is Buff Ermine?
Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lutea) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Buff Ermine found?
Habitat: Wide range of habitats, including gardens, hedgerows, parkland and woodland.
When is Buff Ermine active?
Buff Ermine: seasonal activity - On the wing from May to July, it frequently visits artificial light..
What is the life cycle of a Buff Ermine?
The dark brown caterpillar is covered with reddish-orange hairs, and feeds in Autumn on herbaceous plants, bushes and trees.