The Vapourer - Orgyia antiqua

Wingspan 25-30 mm. Males are chestnut brown with a white spot on each wing. The females are virtually wingless, an attribute normally associated with winter-emerging species.

Urban gardens and parks, open woodland, fens, hedgerows, heathland and moorland.

An unusual species in many ways, the males fly during the day. The adults are out from July to September, sometimes October in the south.

The female lays her eggs on what remains of the pupal cocoon, which then overwinter. When hatched, the very hairy caterpillars feed on a range of deciduous trees and shrubs.

The species is fairly common, especially in suburban habitats, over much of Britain, but more so in the south. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

It is reasonably common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)