Status: Common and widespread.
'Spotted Body and Slippery Feet'
(Spilo = spotted/stained + soma = body: Greek, lubrici = slippery + peda = feet: Latin).
Like many other members of the Arctiidae family, the White Ermine can sequester pyrrolizidine alkaloids, making all life-stages toxic to predators. The larvae are also covered with irritating hairs (like those of other Arctiidae) and are known as 'wooly bears'.
Some individuals have heavier black markings (which may form stripes) and in parts of Scotland a form occurs with a grey-buff ground colour (see the UK Moths website: http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=3124).
Flight Period: Mid May to late July.
Foodplants: A variety of herbaceous plants (including Stinging Nettle and Docks).
This moth's namesake - a rather fanciful 'dalmatian' ermine (the moth is closer to this than a real ermine). (Courtsey of Hatfield House: http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/)
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