16.004 Yponomeuta cagnagella (Spindle Ermine)
ws: 19-26mm; Jul-Aug; spindle (Euonymus europaeus/japonica); common throughout GB except N.Scotland
ID: Y.padella/cagnagella/malinellus/rorrella are all very similar with 3 or 4 rows of black dots on a white or whitish ground colour and not more than 8 dots in the most dorsal row. There are no absolute genitalic differences between these species and the differences in forewing pattern do not distinguish the species with absolute certainty. Y.rorrella has a pattern of grey suffusion that leaves the dorsal half and a pre-terminal costal patch white. Y.cagnagella has no grey suffusion of the forewing ground colour, including the terminal cilia, being entirely white. Y.malinellus has contrastingly grey terminal cilia. Y.padella has a variable amount of grey suffusion and the terminal cilia are the same colour as the terminal area of the wing. Specimen §2 has 60 antennal segments which should confirm it as Y.cagnagella.
§1 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 07/07/2007; fw 9.9mm
§2 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 08/07/2010
§3 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 24/07/2007
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 10/07/2015; female; fw 10.6mm; to light
§5 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 05/07/2019; male; fw 9.5mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 08/07/2010
§3 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 24/07/2007
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 10/07/2015; female; fw 10.6mm; to light
§5 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 05/07/2019; male; fw 9.5mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 30/01/2012 (§1-3) | §4 added 27/12/2015 | §5 added 24/01/2020