Spindle
Ermine Yponomeuta cagnagella
(Hübner, 1813)  |
Status
.....Common across Nottinghamshire, wherever Spindle
Euonymus europaeus grows. The larvae are present annually in
large numbers on any example of the hostplant and can construct huge
webs covering whole lengths of hedgerow, as the larvae move to look for
fresh food. These become obvious to the public and many become alarmed
at the site, but both the larva and webs are completely harmless to the
public. Once pupated, the web breaks down and the plant regrows quickly,
so that by late Summer, there's little evidence of the earlier
infestation.
Egg batches are laid on the stems of Spindle
Euonymus europaeus and
the one illustrated below, proved extremely difficult and time-consuming
(three hour long visits over three days) to find. The example which was
eventually found, was located near the base of where the
previous years growth met the stem. The egg batch was noted as appearing
to be darker, the day before most of the eggs hatched on 18/03/26, which
was the first real warm day of the year. |
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| Adult reared
ex-Edwinstowe larva, photographed June 2025 |
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| Larval web, photographed at Edwinstowe May 2025 |
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Early stages |
| Ovae/egg batch, photographed
at Hills and Holes, Market Warsop March 2026 |
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| Hatching ovae/egg batch, photographed
at Hills and Holes, Market Warsop March 2026 |
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| Full-grown larvae
photographed at
Edwinstowe May 2025 |
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