Grass Eggar moth and caterpillar (Lasiocampa trifolii)

Grass Eggar Moth – Lasiocampa trifolii.

Recently emerged Grass Eggar, Lasiocampa trifolii.

The Grass Eggar Moth is a nationally scarce species in the British Isles, being found only in a few, mainly coastal areas, of Southern England and Wales, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Isles, as well as a few sites in Cheshire and Cumbria.

The species flies in a single generation between August and September when it’s attracted to light.

In South West Cornwall it occurs on coastal clifftop sites on The Lizard, in the large sand dune systems of the North coast and on sites near Lands End.

In Europe the Grass Eggar Moth is more widespread.

Identification of the Grass Eggar Moth

Male Grass Eggar Moth, Lasiocampa trifolii. — Male Grass Eggar Moth, Lasiocampa trifolii, in Cornwall,UK

The females are larger than the males having a forewing of up to 30 mm compared to 20-25 mm.

Males have pectinated antennae used to detect the pheromones give off by freshly emerged females.

Commonly the wings are a reddy/brown but regionally darker and lighter variations occur. The Pale Grass Eggar, Lasiocampa trifilii f.flava. is a light yellowish/brown form.

Other moths are featured in the species pages and moth galleries

Male Grass Eggar Moth, Lasiocampa trifolii, in Cornwall, UK

The distinctive white spot in the centre of the wings and curved outer cross line help determine from the smaller Lackey which is commonly found in the same habitat.

The Oak Eggar Moth also has a distinctive white central mark but is larger.

Butterflies are featured in the British butterfly species pages and galleries.

Butterflies are featured in the European Butterfly galleries.

Grass Eggar caterpillar – Lasiocampa trifolii

Fully grown Grass Eggar caterpillar on a lichen covered rock in Cornwall, UK. © 2014 Steve Ogden — Fully grown Grass Eggar caterpillar on a lichen covered rock at a coastal sit on The Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, UK. © 2014 Steve Ogden

The fully grown Grass Eggar caterpillar is up to 65 mm in length.

The body is heavily coated in hairs which vary in colour from ruddy brown to pale yellow crossed by black segment divisions. On either side is a thick apron of white, grey or pale yellow hairs skirting the body.

Other hairy caterpillars are featured in the Hairy caterpillar gallery

Other moth caterpillars are featured in moth caterpillar galleries

Butterfly caterpillars are featured in butterfly caterpillar galleries

Half grown Grass Eggar caterpillar, Lasiocampa trifolii, on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, UK. — Half grown, 25 mm Grass Eggar caterpillar, Lasiocampa trifolii, on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, UK.

The females lay eggs amongst the larval foodplant – a wide variety of plants including heather, bird’s-foot trefoil, thrift, False Oat-grass, creeping willow and bramble.

The eggs overwinter before hatching the following Spring.

By mid June the larvae are up to 65 mm in length and fully grown.

Nearing pupation they may often be seen basking in the sun on low growing vegetation.

Fully grown Grass Eggar caterpillar, Lasiocampa trifolii, in sand dunes at North Cornish coastal site, UK.

Grass Eggar caterpillar moulting into final instar. — Grass Eggar caterpillar moulting into its final instar on a dead grass stem at Keynance Cove on the Lizard, Cornwall, UK

Fully grown brown yellowy form of Grass Eggar caterpillar in sand dunes at a North Cornish coastal site.

Grass Eggar moth caterpillar curled up amongst grass blades © 2014 Steve Ogden — Grass Eggar moth caterpillar curled up amongst grass blades

Head of a Grass Eggar moth caterpillar (Lasiocampa trifolii) © 2014 Steve Ogden — Head of a Grass Eggar moth caterpillar (Lasiocampa trifolii)

Bright yellow form of Grass Eggar caterpillar recorded in The Isles of Scilly by Chris Hopkins. — Bright yellow form of Grass Eggar caterpillar, Lasiocampa trifolii, recorded in The Isles of Scilly by Chris Hopkins.

The bright yellow form of Grass Eggar caterpillar featured was recorded on the Scilly Isles by Chris Hopkins.

This fully grown and extended caterpillar clearly shows the distinctive black bands and thick, pale collar of hairs.

The fully grown Oak Eggar caterpillar may also be found in the same coastal habitat and is sometimes confused with the Grass Eggar. Both have a liking for basking on rocks, low growing plants and paths.

Pupating Grass Eggar caterpillar

Grass Eggar caterpillar cocoon formed amongst dried grass stems.

The caterpillars pupate inside a cocoon loosely woven amongst the base of grass stems.

Grass Eggar moths emerge in 30 – 40 days.

Recommended reference books

The Colour Identification Guide to Caterpillars of the British Isles – Jim Porter.
Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland – Waring, Townsend and Lewington.
Moths of the British Isles – Bernard Skinnner.
The Provisional Atlas of UK’s Larger moths -Randle, Fox and Parsons