The Sycamore - Acronicta aceris

Wingspan 35-45 mm. Like several other Acronicta species, the ground colour varies from pale grey to dark sooty-grey.

Parks, gardens, woodland and scrub.

June and July

The brightly-coloured caterpillar is covered with yellow and orange hairs and has a row of black-edged white blotches along the back. It feeds on Horse-chestnut as well as Sycamore and Field Maple.

The species is distributed mainly in the south-eastern counties of England, with scattered records elsewhere. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire & Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)