The Lobster Moth is quite striking, for when at rest the hind wings often are spread outside the top wings, particularly at the sides. The animal gives the impression of being bigger than it actually is and broader too! The wingspan varies considerably from 55 to 70 mm. The basic colour maybe lightbrown, greyish or olive green. Just like in all other prominents the two first legs are hold forwards when the animal is at rest. Apparently the Lobster Moth flies later in Britain than on the continent: from mid-May to July. Males are attracted to light and are seen regularly. Females are not attracted to light and are rarely ever seen.



The larvae of the Lobster Moth are bizarre: the last body segment is swollen and has two long wires instead of legs. When it feels threatened the swollen bodyparts are held over the rest of the body, the head is lifted and the animal shows his very long front legs. That is how it got its name "Lobster Moth". Because the creature is so curiously shaped it has been breeded with a lot. Its behaviour is weird as well, for the larvae will happily eat one another. Further more the larvae love to drink water. We apologize for not having pictures of this strange creature yet. The caterpillars are found on oak, hazel and birch, but most of all on beech. Not uncommon in Southern England, parts of Wales and Southwest Ireland.