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Vapourer
Orgyia antiqua (Linnaeus, 1758)
Erebidae: Lymantriinae
2026 / 72.017
Photo © George Fowler,  West Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (26/08/24)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Scarce Vapourer
Orgyia recens
Forewing: M 12-17mm.
Flight: One generation July-Oct.
Foodplant:   Broadleaved trees and shrubs.
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1

General comments:
Widespread and common resident.

Some records relate to egg masses on oak trunks; these persist long after the larvae have emerged. The females are flightless and are mated almost immediately upon emerging from the pupa. However, if virgin females are reared from larvae these can be used to great effect to 'assemble' the day-flying males, which will usually attend within a few minutes.

Recorded in 34 (83%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1887.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest Records
Date#VC10k - General Area
12/10/2023121TQ07 - Staines-Upon-Thames
09/10/2023120TL11 - Harpenden / Wheathampstead
30/09/2023120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
30/09/2023121TQ18 - Harrow / Wembley / Ealing
24/09/2023120TL22 - Stevenage
16/09/2023121TQ17 - Brentford / Hounslow / Richmond
11/09/2023120TL21 - Welwyn Garden City
10/09/2023121TQ18 - Harrow / Wembley / Ealing
09/09/2023121TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
09/09/2023121TQ28 - Hendon / Hampstead / Camden
Further info: Orgyia antiqua
 
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