Vandalicia Lappet Moth
Common NameVandalicia Lappet Moth
Scientific NameChondrostega vandalicia
FamilyLasiocampidae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorsyellowish-brown, reddish-brown, pale yellow
HabitatDry grasslands, steppe-like areas, calcareous soils
Geographic RangeIberian Peninsula, North Africa
Host Plantsgrasses, Brachypodium retusum, Stipa tenacissima
Flight PeriodSeptember to November
Flight Stylefluttering
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in autumn, hatching into caterpillars that feed through winter and spring. Pupation occurs in early summer, with adults emerging in autumn.
Identification TipsCaterpillars are identifiable by their dense yellowish-orange hairs and distinctive reddish-orange dorsal spots. Adult males are smaller and darker yellowish-brown, while females are larger and paler, often whitish-yellow.
Description
The caterpillar is densely covered in long, yellowish-orange hairs, featuring a dark dorsal stripe with prominent reddish-orange tufts or spots. The adult moth is sexually dimorphic, with males typically yellowish-brown and females paler, often with indistinct markings.
