White Ermine
Spilosoma lubricipeda
This record describes Spilosoma lubricipeda (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 34-48 mm. There is considerable variation in the degree of black speckling and, in certain parts of Scotland, there are forms with a buffish ground colour. Gardens, hedgerows, grassland, heathland, moorland and woodland. It generally flies from May to July and sometimes later in the south. The hairy larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants. Widely distributed and fairly common over much 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
Gardens, hedgerows, grassland, heathland, moorland and woodland.
Seasonal Activity
It generally flies from May to July and sometimes later in the south.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The hairy larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widely distributed and fairly common over much 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 lubricipeda. 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 White Ermine (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About White Ermine
What is White Ermine?
White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is White Ermine found?
Habitat: Gardens, hedgerows, grassland, heathland, moorland and woodland.
When is White Ermine active?
White Ermine: seasonal activity - It generally flies from May to July and sometimes later in the south..
What is the life cycle of a White Ermine?
The hairy larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants.