Bird-cherry Ermine

The Bird-cherry Ermine moth is one of the easiest small ‘Ermines’ to identify, having five rows of black dots on the forewing.

Some members of the species are difficult to separate visually.

The Bird-cherry Ermine moth is nocturnal and can be seen during July and August, in woodland and scrub favouring Bird Cherry trees.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Bird Cherry trees. They can occur in pest numbers and completely strip the tree of its leaves.

It is a common moth throughout much of Britain, though it is more numerous in the north.