Lasiocampid Moths (Lasiocampidae) are medium to large butterflies with hairy bodies. In resting position, these moths have their broad rounded wings like a roof over their body. It is striking that the hindwing protrudes just below the forewing. As soon as these large moths are attracted to light, you can hear them clearly arriving at the last moment. Due to the rapid wing beat, they make a sound like a “spinner”.
Subfamily: Lasiocampinae
Genus: Euthrix
Drinker Moth – 2017 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 624169)
The Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria) is not the moth that I expected in my garden as there are few reed collars in the immediate area. Males come to light more often than females. They have a remarkable snout due to their strongly hairy palps. Furthermore, the Drinker Moth has at the yellow-brown forewing next to the white median spot an extra small white spot. A wavy line can be seen in the marginal area just before a brown cross line running towards the apex. The females are larger and can vary in color from deep yellow to very pale buff, whitish, or a darker reddish-brown similar to the male. The flight period is from June to August in one generation and the wingspan is 42-70mm. Host plant: Cock’s-foot, couches, Common Reed, Reed Canary-grass, and Wood Small-reed. Dutch name: Rietvink. Frisian name: Reidspinner.
