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EREBIDAE | Lymantriinae | Lymantriini
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72.011 Lymantria dispar (Gypsy Moth)
fw: ♂20-24mm ♀31-35mm; Jul-Aug; various broad-leaved trees; formerly resident in fens of East Anglia, last recorded 1907; rare migrant (males only) to south coast of England with ~50 records 1950 to 1995; since when breeding populations have become established in S.England.
Lymantria dispar (Gypsy Moth) §4 male
ID: Similar to L.monacha (Black Arches) in shape. In both sexes L.monacha possesses 3 black thoracic spots which are lacking in L.dispar. Males of both species have strongly bipectinate antennae, female antennae simple. Males are readily distinguished from the typical form of L.monacha which has a white ground colour, but resemble the dark form eremita more closely; crosslines are usually discernible in form eremita and have the same jagged pattern as in the typical form; crosslines are often not discernible in L.dispar, but when they are they are fairly smooth. Female L.dispar are larger than female L.monacha and more plainly marked. Female L.dispar are largely flightless, despite their large wings, and so seldom seen at light.
§1 Foulness, Essex; 31/07/2020; male; fw 20.8mm
§2 Pound Wood, Essex; 05/08/2020; male
§3 Pound Wood, Essex; 05/08/2020; male
§4 Pound Wood, Essex; 13/08/2020; male; fw 20.8mm
§5 Stour Wood, Essex; 11/08/2021; male
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Pound Wood, Essex; 05/08/2020; male
§3 Pound Wood, Essex; 05/08/2020; male
§4 Pound Wood, Essex; 13/08/2020; male; fw 20.8mm
§5 Stour Wood, Essex; 11/08/2021; male
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 07/08/2020 (§1-3) | Dissection images of §1 added 02/02/2021 | Dissection images of §2&3 added 04/02/2021 |
§4 added 047/02/2021 | §5 added 10/12/2021
§4 added 047/02/2021 | §5 added 10/12/2021
