Insect · GBIF taxon 1732416
Fox Moth
Macrothylacia rubiFox moths inhabit sweeping heathlands, open moorlands, and rough pastures across much of Europe and temperate Asia. Males fly rapidly during sunny afternoons searching for stationary females, which rest concealed in low vegetation until flying after dark. The dense, golden-brown caterpillars are famous for sunning themselves in early spring after hibernating full-grown beneath leaf litter.
Hairy CaterpillarHeathlandNight-Flying
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Bramble
- Heather
- Bilberry
Predators
- Insectivorous Birds
- Bats
- Parasitoid Wasps
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, loss of heathland, and excessive scrub clearing.
HabitatsMoorland, heathland, grassy banks, and open scrublands.
Life span1 year cycle; adult moths live only 1 to 2 weeks.
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyLasiocampidae
- GenusMacrothylacia
- SpeciesMacrothylacia rubi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Caterpillars possess stinging hairs that irritate skin; avoid handling with bare hands.
- Why it is dangerous
- Caterpillar hairs act as mechanical irritants that break easily and cause skin rashes or itching.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for large, dark brown, furry caterpillars with distinct bands of warm reddish-brown hair.
- What to do
- Avoid bare skin contact and view caterpillars without picking them up.
Responsible observation
- Spot Flying Males: Watch for fast, zig-zagging flight over heathland on sunny May and June afternoons.
- Observe Larvae Safely: Look for large, hairy caterpillars basking on low vegetation in warm early spring.
Close Relative (c) SteveM4560, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Drepanostoma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Drepanostoma · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Fox Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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