Alder Kitten
Common NameAlder Kitten
Scientific NameFurcula bicuspis
FamilyNotodontidae
SubfamilyNotodontinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorswhite, black, orange
HabitatWoodlands, especially where alder and birch are present
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host Plantsalder, birch, aspen, sallow
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are green with a humped back and a forked tail, feeding on the leaves of host trees. They pupate in a cocoon, often incorporating wood fragments, on the bark or in crevices.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive white forewings with a dark central band and speckled pattern, along with the prominent black and orange-yellow markings on the thorax and head, which resemble a cat's face.
Description
This moth has white forewings with a broad, irregular blackish central band and a speckled appearance. The thorax is prominently marked with black and orange-yellow patches, giving it a 'kitten-like' head appearance.
