Lasiocampa trifolii

Lasiocampa trifolii, the grass eggar, is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775 and found in Europe.[1]

Illustration from John Curtis's British Entomology Volume 5

Grass eggar
Adult
Caterpillar from above
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lasiocampidae
Genus: Lasiocampa
Species:
L. trifolii
Binomial name
Lasiocampa trifolii

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Europe in coastal dunes.[1][2]

Life cycle and behaviour

Eggs are laid on leaves close to the ground, hatch in the autumn, and the young larvae hibernate. The larvae feed on grasses,[1] various shrubs and deciduous trees, such as oak, European beech, poplar and Calluna. The cocoon is formed on the ground.[1]

Adults' wingspan is 40–55 mm and it flies from June to September depending on the location (in Britain it is on the wing in August). They fly during the day, but also at night, and will come to a light.[1] The female is larger than the male.


  • Caterpillar
    Caterpillar
  • Caterpillar
    Caterpillar
  • Female
    Female
  • Female underside
    Female underside
  • Male
    Male
  • Male underside
    Male underside

References
  1. Ford, R.L.E. (1963). The Observer's Book of Larger Moths. London: Frederick Warne. p. 143.
  2. "UK moths". Retrieved 22 September 2022.
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