Phalera bucephala ♂

The Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found throughout Europe.

This is a fairly large, heavy bodied species with a wingspan of 55-68 mm. The forewings are grey with a large prominent buff patch at the apex. As the thoracic hair is also buff, the moth looks remarkably like a broken twig at rest. The hindwings are creamy-white. This moth flies at night in June and July ^[1] and sometimes comes to light, although it is not generally strongly attracted.

The young larvae are gregarious, becoming solitary later. The older larva is very striking, black with white and yellow lines. It feeds on many trees and shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as a pupa.

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

Recorded food plants

• Acer - Norway Maple
• Betula - Birch
• Corylus - Hazel
• Laburnum
• Populus - Poplar
• Prunus
• Quercus - Oak
• Robinia
• Rosa - Rose
• Salix - Willow
• Ulmus - Elm
• Viburnum

Lime

Subspecies

• P. b. bucephala
• P. b. tenebrata

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  Eggs

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  Caterpillar

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  Adult in profile

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  Illustration from John Curtis's British Entomology Volume 5

References

• Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
• Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984

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