Oak Eggar Moth

19th July 2005

I noticed this moth on the edge of our windows one windy morning, and photographed it so that I could identify it at my leisure.  An hour later it was gone.

UK Moths matches it with the Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii .  The only difficulty with that is we have little sand around here - the shoreline is mostly mud.  The NHM has a similar photo, identified as an Oak Eggar, Lasiocampa quercus, which UK Moths disagrees with.  Both parties were invited to help me to a definitive answer ...

The NHM gave a good response, engaging several members of the Entomology department, whose considered opinion is that it is a female Oak Eggar.  Which also means that it is not especially unusual, here in the North Kent countryside, away from street lights and relatively undisturbed.

Their email ended with: "We normally charge our commercial enquirers £82.00 per routine identification, but not the public. We are determined to keep this service free to them, but as we are not fully supported by the government, any donation that you can make towards our expenses would be much appreciated. Cheques should be made out to "The Natural History Museum". Thank you for your consideration."  I am a firm believer in the benefits of abstract knowledge and will donate a suitable amount.  If you are too, then keep them in mind.

Photographs copyright Alan Dicey

Last modified 23:00, 26th July 2005