Morley's Final Catalogue: In the upmost profusion throughout the County, from Sudbury to Gorleston; larvae on every white-thorn hedge, as well as other plants. A pest at light.

Recent Suffolk status: Very common and still increasing inland, spreading along hedgerows in road verges.

Life history: Single-brooded in the summer. Larval nests regularly recorded in the autumn and again in the spring.
Can be the subject of pest control measures as the larvae have irritating hairs that can cause severe skin reactions when they moult into pupae.

Identification: Yellow-tail, when disturbed, protrudes its yellow tail above the wings whilst Brown-tail protrudes its brown tail below the wings.

Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats including hedgerows, gardens and scrubby areas on the coast.

Recorded in 53 (91%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1877. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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