16/05/2022
Bath Wildlife Sightings
Yponomeuta evonymella (Bird-cherry Ermine moth) St. James’ Cemetery, Bath, ST7464
Date first seen
Date last seen
Frequency of Sighting
Visited several times waiting for the caterpillars to grow large enough to be identifiable.
Species
Prunus padus Linnaeus (Bird Cherry), Yponomeuta evonymella (Linnaeus) (Yellow-spotted Ermine - Bird-cherry Ermine moth)
Evidence
Quantity
Numerous specimens in webs spun around leaves
Locality
St. James' Cemetery, Bath
Habitat
Planted trees of Bird Cherries (Prunus padus)
Environmental Conditions
Sunny
Grid Reference
ST741645
Other Information
Four trees infested. Some webs on flowers had stopped them developing, probably due to the feeding activities of young caterpillars, which all seemed now to have transferred to feed on the leaves. The tree is not native in this part of the country but is planted in parks and gardens. By 16th May the caterpillars were more or less fully grown.
Recorded by
Rob Randall, Alvan White
Identified by
Alvan White, Paul Wilkins
