| 71.009 .... B&F 1999 | ||
Lobster Moth
Stauropus fagi
(Linnaeus, 1758)  |
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| While quite widely distributed and indeed relatively common across much of the southern parts of the UK, it seems quite surprising that there have been no records of this moth in Nottinghamshire since the publication of J.W.Carr's book in 1916. The larva is unique among UK fauna and the full-grown larva will show it's annoyance if disturbed. | ||
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Early stages |
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| Ovae. Photographed on May 21st (below left) and pre-hatching (showed below right) on May 23rd 2023. | ||
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| 1st-instar larva. Photographed May 23rd 2023. The larvae feed only on the eggshell after hatching and take no other food until moulting to 2nd-instar. | ||
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| 2nd-instar larva on Oak Quercus robur. Photographed May 30th 2023. | ||
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| 3rd-instar larva on Oak Quercus robur. Photographed June 3rd 2023. | ||
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| 4th-instar larva on Oak Quercus robur. Photographed June 3rd 2023. | ||
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| Final-instar larva on Oak Quercus robur. Photographed June 3rd 2023. | ||
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| Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Lobster Moth |
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| copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) | . | . |