Puss moth

Cerura vinula is a notodontid moth, placed in the subfamily Cerurinae. The name puss moth refers to the furry appearance of the adult. [1][2]

The thorax and abdomen are densely furred in white and grey. Black spots mark the thorax and the bases of the forewings, followed by a sequence of dark brackets and chevrons. Females are generally larger and darker; male antennae are strongly combed. The mature caterpillar is green below a grey-purple dorsal saddle. [1]

The species occurs through much of Britain in habitats containing its host trees, including woodland and gardens. In Norway it is recorded north to Rana in Nordland. [2][3]

Dark red eggs are laid on the upper surface of leaves, singly or in small groups. Early larvae are mostly black; mature larvae acquire the green body and dark saddle. Before pupation the caterpillar turns plum-coloured and makes a hard, domed cocoon incorporating wood fragments. The pupa overwinters inside this protective structure. [1]

Poplars and aspen, including Populus tremula, are principal hosts alongside willows and sallows in Salix. [2][3]

When disturbed, the caterpillar raises its head and waves the paired tails, extending pink-red filaments from their tips. The mature larva also exposes a red false-face area with two dark eyespots. Adult moths are nocturnal and come to light; British accounts place their principal flight season in spring and early summer. [2][1]

A feeding experiment traced the processing of defensive compounds from poplar leaves. Researchers gave larvae carbon-labelled salicinoids and identified labelled products in their droppings by chemical analysis. Benzoyl groups from compounds including tremulacin and trichocarpin were incorporated into conjugates of quinic acid. [4]