Buff-tip - Phalera bucephala

Alternative names
Buff Tip
Description

When at rest, the adults of this species bear a remarkable resemblance to a broken twig of Silver Birch.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Mixed woodland.

When to see it

The adults fly in June and July.

Life History

The yellow-and-black caterpillars live gregariously and feed on a number of different deciduous trees, sometimes defoliating entire branches.

UK Status

The species is widely distributed and quite common throughout Britain especially in the southern half. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
71.025 BF1994

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Buff-tip
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Notodontidae
Records on NatureSpot:
417
First record:
01/01/1998 (Adrian Russell)
Last record:
16/09/2024 (Isabel Raval)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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