Oak Processionary
Thaumetopoea processionea
This record describes Thaumetopoea processionea (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25 to 35 mm. It can be distinguished from related species by the pale basal area of the forewing. Please provide a photograph and liaise with the County Recorder prior to record submission. Broadleaved woodland, parkland and open spaces with oak (Quercus). Adult males of this moth are likely to disperse from late July to mid-September. Both the English and scientific names refer to the behaviour of the larvae, whose habit of forming a long nose-to-tail procession is quite peculiar. Formerly considered a very rare migrant. Adventive populations were discovered in west London and in a small area of Berkshire in c2006, and it has since become well established in parts of London, the Home Counties and surrounding areas. It is considered a pest due to potential impacts on oaks and risk to human health. Minute urticating hairs on the dorsum of the larger larvae can cause persistent or severe irritation, including to the eyes and throat. Despite control measures the population appears to be growing and expanding range.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Notodontidae
- Genus
- Thaumetopoea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Broadleaved woodland, parkland and open spaces with oak (Quercus).
Seasonal Activity
Adult males of this moth are likely to disperse from late July to mid-September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Both the English and scientific names refer to the behaviour of the larvae, whose habit of forming a long nose-to-tail procession is quite peculiar.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Formerly considered a very rare migrant. Adventive populations were discovered in west London and in a small area of Berkshire in c2006, and it has since become well established in parts of London, the Home Counties and surrounding areas.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Thaumetopoea processionea. 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 Oak Processionary (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Processionary
What is Oak Processionary?
Oak Processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Oak Processionary found?
Habitat: Broadleaved woodland, parkland and open spaces with oak (Quercus).
When is Oak Processionary active?
Oak Processionary: seasonal activity - Adult males of this moth are likely to disperse from late July to mid-September..
What is the life cycle of a Oak Processionary?
Both the English and scientific names refer to the behaviour of the larvae, whose habit of forming a long nose-to-tail procession is quite peculiar.