Erebidae : Arctiinae
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Photo © Keith Scarff,  Stowmarket 20/06/2021

Similar Suffolk Species
White Ermine
Spilosoma lubricipeda
Muslin Moth
Diaphora mendica
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Water Ermine
Spilosoma urticae

(Esper, 1789) 2062 / 72.021

Morley's Final Catalogue: Extremely rare, and found only singly. Tuddenham (T. & J. Brown of Cambridge); Beccles (Crf) and Gorleston (Hist. Yarm., probably in error): ante 1890. One in Copdock Rectory avenue, c. 1895 (Hkg). One at Kessingland in June 1890 (Ctw). One found floating on Oulton Dyke about 1920 (D). One female bred 21 May 1927 from Belton larva (Ellis).

Recent Suffolk status: Scarce, mainly coastal with occasional inland records close to wetland sites.

Life history: Single-brooded in summer.

Identification: Compare with similar White Ermine, examples of which can show remarkably few black spots on fore-wings. Water Ermine lacks the single black spot on hind-wing of White Ermine. Overall a longer, slimmer moth and cleaner looking than White Ermine.

Habitat: Wet meadows, marshes including and salt-marshes.

Recorded in 25 (43%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1890.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

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Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
30/06/2023125TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
18/06/2023125TM47 - Blythburgh/Dunwich
17/06/2023125TM47 - Blythburgh/Dunwich
27/07/2022125TM58 - Carlton Colville/Kessingland
24/07/2022125TM58 - Carlton Colville/Kessingland
Show Details | 1990 to 2022 | 2000 to 2022 | Graph Key
Express Record Water Ermine
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Copyright © Jim Wheeler 2023
   

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 18-21mm
Flight: One generation June-July
Foodplant:   Water Dock, Water Mint, other marshland plants
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Nationally Scarce
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 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
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