Rare moth in Berkshire

Yesterday I was sent these photos by Chris Poad, showing the caterpillars and larval webs of a species that is very rare in Berkshire: Small Eggar. This is the first record for the county since 2010, and there only about 8 records altogether.

The location is a roadside hedge near Steventon in west Berkshire, where the impressive silk webs can be seen. Small Eggar runs the risk of being mistaken for Brown-tail moth, or one of the small ermine moth species, and regarded as a pest that needs eradicating, but hopefully this colony will survive to produce the next generation.

(Photos by Chris Poad)