December Moth - Poecilocampa populi

Description

Wingspan 30-45 mm. The makings are fairly constant with a creamy white band across a browny charcoal forewing and also a creamy white head. The female is much larger than the male.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Mainly in woodland but also in scrub, hedgerows and gardens.

When to see it

In fact it can be found from October until mid or late December.

Life History

The larvae feed in spring on a variety of deciduous trees.

UK Status

It is a fairly common species over much of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

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

Reference
66.001 BF1631

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
December Moth
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Lasiocampidae
Records on NatureSpot:
167
First record:
18/11/2003 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
12/12/2023 (Hagley, Neil)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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