Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi - Distribution map

Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.

As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.

In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.

View the NBN Atlas Map

66.008 BF1638

Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi

(Linnaeus, 1758)


Wingspan 40-65 mm.

The males of the Fox Moth are generally more reddish-brown than the females, which are slightly larger and greyer.

The species is well distributed over much of Britain, and common in places. Its habitats include open woodland, moors, grassland and hedgerows.

The caterpillar is covered with blackish and tawny-coloured hairs and feeds on heather (Calluna) and bramble (Rubus), amongst others.

The males fly in the afternoon, whereas the females tend to fly only at night.

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