Lasiocampidae : Malacosomatinae
  Prev | Next  
Photo © Neil Sherman,  Big catch of adults at light. Orfordness. July 2010.

Immature stages

Similar Suffolk Species
Lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Upload a Photo
 
Ground Lackey
Malacosoma castrensis

(Linnaeus, 1758) 1635 / 66.004

Morley's Final Catalogue: This north-west European Lackey is restricted in Britain to maritime salterns in Yorks, Sheppey and our own coast, where it was 'bred from larvae taken on or near the salt-marshes north of Aldeburgh, but neither this species nor Setina irrorella have been met with the last few years'. Rediscovered to be locally abundant at Aldeburgh, Bawdsey and Shingle Street in Hollesley, whence many were bred in 1905, and still occurs till at least 1928.

Recent Suffolk Status: Still found along the Suffolk coast in the vicinity of salt-marshes where it can be locally abundant.

Life history: Single brooded in the summer. Larval nests with the colourful caterpillars occasionally found in the spring out on the saltmarshes.

Identification: Similar to the Lackey but pale cross-lines are kinked inwards rather than running almost parallel. Photos of moths occurring inland well away from known sites will be required to confirm records.

Habitats: Saltmarshes, coastal grassland.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 10 (17%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1905.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

< Lackey  |  Small Eggar >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
29/07/2023+25TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
14/07/2023125TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
03/08/2022125TM33 - Bawdsey/Felixstowe
03/08/2022625TM44 - Orford Ness
02/08/2022325TM33 - Bawdsey/Felixstowe
Show Details | 1990 to 2022 | 2000 to 2022 | Graph Key
Express Record Ground Lackey
We need your records!
Do you have records of Ground Lackey?
Put your own dot on the map!

Copyright © Jim Wheeler 2023
   

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 13-16mm
Flight: July - August.
Foodplant:   Sea Plantain, Common Sea-lavender, Sea Wormwood and Sea Purslane
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Nationally Scarce
Former Status: Nationally Scarce A
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3
 Immature Adult
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2023. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2023. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2023
We use cookies to personalise content and enhance your experience. By clicking OK or using this site, you consent to the use of cookies unless you disable them. Cookies Policy