The small ermine moths – the Yponomeuta

There are some species of moth where most of the members of the genus look almost identical in the adult form. When they’re larvae, it’s usually easy to tell which you are looking at as they feed on a particular plant specific to their species, but not always, Moreover, the larvae themselves may be distinctive. But, if you only have the adult, then they require a specialist kind of examination known as gen det, which you can find more about in my mothing glossary or if their genome is known, then a DNA analysis would suffice! Yponomeuta species of moth – it is next to impossible to tell which species from this photo The genus Yponomeuta consists of the ermine moths or small ermine moths. They’re very small, micro moths, mostly white with black spots. Around a dozen species occur in the UK, although several are difficult to distinguish without examining the adult moth or knowing the larval host plant or the larvae themselves. They are best known because their caterpillars produce…