Buff-tip

Taxobox
name = Buff-tip

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption = Buff-tip moth
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Notodontidae
genus = "Phalera"
species = "P. bucephala"
binomial = "Phalera bucephala"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758The 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 ref|flight_season 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.

# "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"

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