Lobster Moth

Taxobox
name = Lobster Moth

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Notodontidae
genus = "Stauropus"
species = "S. fagi"
binomial = "Stauropus fagi"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

The Lobster Moth ("Stauropus fagi") is a moth from the family Notodontidae. The moth has a wingspan ranging from 40 to 70 millimetres and varies in color from grey to green and brown.

The moth lives in the whole Palearctic ecozone except the North of Africa. In England it is more frequent in the Southern counties.

Life History

In the first instar the caterpillar feeds entirely on it's own egg-shell and is unusual in that it mimics an ant or small spider. This is due to the long thoracic legs "and caudal appendages which are ever nervously twisting about" (1). If the larva is disturbed during this period it wriggles about violently in the same manner as an injured ant. "The young caterpillars keep guard over their own egg-shell. They keep nervously moving around and about this, and if perchance another caterpillar should approach within touch of it, a vigorous attack is made to drive off the intruder.(1)" After the first skin change the larvae feed on the leaves of Oak, Beech, Birch or Hazel. During the following instars the caterpillar develops even more of an odd appearance with "a large head, (the) long thoracic legs, raised humps on the fourth to seventh segments and a greatly swollen anal segment that has the claspers modified into long thin structures"(2) The general colour is reddish brown and if in its resting position provides perfect cryptic camouflage. The larvae can grow to a length of 70mm and if disturbed by a potential predator can put on a menacing display with the thoracic legs splayed out and the head arched back over the body. The moth pupates in a strong cocoon, "usually spun up between dead leaves".The moths emerge the following year from May until July depending on conditions.

References

1. W. H. Tugwell, Richard South F.R.E.S - The Moths of the British Isles (Warne)

2. Jim Porter - The Colour Identification Guide to Caterpillars of the British Isles (Viking)

3. The Caterpillars of British Moths (Warne)