WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread and fairly frequent in the South and scarce in the North. It is spreading North. Habitat includes: gardens, parks, allotments, churchyards, woodland, hedgerows, scrub, wasteland etc. Life story: Caterpillars are seen from July to September once they have finished feeding they head down under ground burrowing to a depth of up to 30 cm to pupate and emerge to following June. Diet: Caterpillars = Ash saplings, Privet (Wild and Garden), Lilac. Flight period: June to July (single generation). Wingspan: 9 - 12 cm. It is the UK's largest resident Moth.