For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Buff-tip Moths
Identify It > Moth Section > Buff-tip Moths >
Scientific name: Phalera bucephala
Size: Wingspan up to 66mm
Distribution: Commonly found throughout the UK
Months seen: May to August
Habitat: Woods, parks and gardens
Food: The caterpillars feed on many types of deciduous trees including lime, oak and elm
Special features: The buff tip moth gets its name from the buff coloured wing tips. The main areas of the wings are covered with silvery scales which cleverly disguise this moth as a broken twig from a silver birch tree.
The caterpillars are mostly black with thin yellow-green lines running along the length of their bodies, and thick mustard brown lines running width ways. They have black heads and a row of black dots along each side.
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