Discover
Identify
Record
Puss Moth - Cerura vinula
Wingspan 45-70 mm. Named after the cat-like appearance of the adult moth, which is white, marked with darker greys.
Gardens, hedgerows and open woodland.
The adult flies from May to July and frequently comes to light.
The striking caterpillar feeds on Aspen as well as Poplar and Willow. When disturbed, it raises its head and waves the twin tails, which have pinkish extendable flagellae.
This species is fairly common throughout most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire & Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Puss Moth
- Species group:
- Moths
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Notodontidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 45
- First record:
- 05/06/1999 (Cranfield, John)
- Last record:
- 07/08/2023 (Timms, Sue)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.