25/09/2020 Kennack Sands to Coverack ~15km
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The Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi) has one of the largest and hairiest of lepidopteran larvae. It feeds on bramble and heather and changes colour as it grows. When young it is black with thin orange bands; as it matures it becomes reddish-brown and covered in long grey hairs. The larva hatches from its egg in June and becomes full-grown by late September. It overwinters as the mature larva, concealed in leaf litter. It pupates in spring, and the adults fly May-Jun. The adult males are largely diurnal, while the larger females are nocturnal. These larvae are found fairly frequently on coastal paths - which is where we found this one today. |