Early grey © Vaughn Matthews
Early grey
One of the earliest moths to emerge each year, spending the winter as a pupa and flying from March to May.
Enw gwyddonol
Xylocampa areolaPryd i'w gweld
Adult: mainly March to MayCaterpillar: April to June
Species information
Ynghylch
As the name suggests, the early grey is one of the first moths to emerge as a fresh adult each year. It spends the winter as a pupa in the ground, inside a strong cocoon, emerging to fly from March to May, though it can sometimes be seen as early as February.The early grey is found in woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Its caterpillars feed on honeysuckle. They spend the day flattened against the woody stem, hiding from predators, moving off at night to feed. The adult moths can sometimes be found resting on tree trunks, fences or other man-made structures. They fly at night and are often attracted to lights.
Sut i'w hadnabod
The early moth is mostly grey, sometimes with a pinkish flush, and marbled with black markings. The pale oval mark on each forewing has a second oval joined to it, which often also joins the kidney mark.Caterpillars are greyish brown and their slender body tapers at each end. They have a pale line down the back, which becomes whiter at the rear of the body. There are also two dark grey patches on their back, towards the rear.