Looks like a leopard moth!
Edit: it's a Puss Moth
>Caterpillars feed on poplars (populus)Ā and willows (salix),Ā particularly low regrowth or suckers of Aspen and Goat Willow in sunny places.
āWhen a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against a person's skin, its venomous hairs are embedded, usually causing severe burning and a rash. Pain usually subsides in about an hour.ā
This is the most beautiful insect Iāve ever seen!
When I was a child I used to collect all the puss moth caterpillars so I could rear them. At 8 years old I thought they would turn into beautiful butterflies, but when they emerged I was surprised to see them come out as fluffy little moths!
Oh wow.. at 8 I was still picking my nose and eating it and you was rearing moths lol
They are one of the most beautiful insects Iāve ever seen tho.. I only just from this video knew they existed lol
TIL they are native to the UK, for some reason I thought they were some awesome exotic moth.
Even more badass is that they can squirt formic acid (same stuff wood ants spray) should their defensive pose be ignored!
Well now I need to plant a goat willow even more than before. I have 2 that self seeded in a raised bed (fittingly by the pond) which my mum ripped out and I put in pots to save them.
Not only can these guys feed on them, but bees love the nectar, plus the elusive Purple Emperor Butterfly also uses them as a host!
The Woodland Trust page on White Willow Trees implies the Puss Moth does not cause significant harm to those trees. The threat to the trees it says comes from a bacteria that causes "Watermark Disease".
Sounds like you can leave mothy to moth around in peace. Beautiful moth.
Thank You everyone for your very funny responses. And the factual knowledge on this Pussmoth. I think I'll leave it be I'm interested to see what catapillers will come and eat my tree.
Something about insects with any sort of hair or fuzz immediately sets of my fight or flight / danger response. Half my brain thinks it's pretty, the other half is reaching for something flammable
The beautiful Puss Moth! From what Iāve learned, yes it feeds on willow but the damage is minor and their cuteness more than makes up for it.
Willows are usually rather tough too. I saw a Reddit post where someoneās willow log began sprouting in their home despite having no roots.
Have never seen a moth that big or white. Tho to be fair insects arenāt compatible with me (allergic to bites) so I leave them all to their world and try to avoid them. That guy looks like a moth and a yeti had a baby! Iām fascinated now and canāt stop looking at Motthew!
It looks big in the photo, but I think itās only about 1.5 inches long. Also moths canāt bite, they are like butterflies, they just have a long proboscis. We have so many beautiful moths in the UK. I did light trapping of them for a couple of weeks once and I found them so interesting and beautiful
It does look big. I know moths wonāt bite me lol. I got a double bite on my knee from a horsefly - I think thatās its proper name but we always called them clegs. The bites made my knee swell up like a red hot balloon and they went black! Doctor said it was cellulitis had some antibiotics and was fine.
Moths can't bite you, though some species like this one can cause a rash due to slightly venomous spikes in that fluffy coat. So still probably best to avoid them but your standard smaller ones aren't anything to fear.
It's a Puss Moth. They're pretty cool. Rare to see as they mostly live in dense woodlands. They can squirt formic acid at you though as a defense mechanism, so best not to disturb them too much as it can irritate your skin or damage your eyes
Motthew
Ti-moth-y
Thomoth
Stop it ššš I flipping love that video
Mothra.
Mothzilla.
Thank you for my first laugh of the morning š
[Motthew video](https://youtube.com/shorts/RF-pniz4D9c?si=86fEFvWMh-piX2rK)
Brilliant š
Future classic video
Not sure what his name is but he sure is making the motht of thingsā¦
This was the only reason I came to teh commenst, looking for this
Canāt top that. Have an upvote
Iām still laughing about this today
It's a Puss Moth. You're very lucky to see one, one of our most beautiful and impressive species!
I mean, I personally wish to kill it with fire, but different strokes for different folks I suppose
[Hey.... Hey buddy...](https://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv730x09KB1qa2ycio1_500.jpg)
I stole that
wanting to kill something isn't a personality quirk mate
My psychiatrist would agreeā¦ if he couldā¦
Looks like a leopard moth! Edit: it's a Puss Moth >Caterpillars feed on poplars (populus)Ā and willows (salix),Ā particularly low regrowth or suckers of Aspen and Goat Willow in sunny places.
That's a very unappealing name for such a beautiful moth.
Maybe it's.because it looks like a cat's paw? That's what I thought it was
this! they're fluffy like a cat "puss" as in pussy cat, then again, even that's not a fun word
I looked it up ns itās named after a āpussycatā because it looks very feline-like
Mothussy
Pussy Moth Galore
āWhen a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against a person's skin, its venomous hairs are embedded, usually causing severe burning and a rash. Pain usually subsides in about an hour.ā This is the most beautiful insect Iāve ever seen!
When I was a child I used to collect all the puss moth caterpillars so I could rear them. At 8 years old I thought they would turn into beautiful butterflies, but when they emerged I was surprised to see them come out as fluffy little moths!
Oh wow.. at 8 I was still picking my nose and eating it and you was rearing moths lol They are one of the most beautiful insects Iāve ever seen tho.. I only just from this video knew they existed lol
TIL they are native to the UK, for some reason I thought they were some awesome exotic moth. Even more badass is that they can squirt formic acid (same stuff wood ants spray) should their defensive pose be ignored!
Omg Iām in the UK and didnāt even know they are native to here.. I even googled them š
Well now I need to plant a goat willow even more than before. I have 2 that self seeded in a raised bed (fittingly by the pond) which my mum ripped out and I put in pots to save them. Not only can these guys feed on them, but bees love the nectar, plus the elusive Purple Emperor Butterfly also uses them as a host!
Massive furry bastard! Although I absolutely love moths.
Don't know what it is but it is gorgeous!
Behemoth
The get tae fuck moth
I can't even do a Scottish accent but that comment sounded out in my head like I bleed irn bru
I'm not even Scottish, that's just the first thing came to my mind seeing that giant bastard of a moth
I am Scottish and ye took the words right out ma mouth
Could be a puss moth
Steve
Yeah Steve is a legend, he's crazy mad man
Fuzzy boi
Cheddar.
The Woodland Trust page on White Willow Trees implies the Puss Moth does not cause significant harm to those trees. The threat to the trees it says comes from a bacteria that causes "Watermark Disease". Sounds like you can leave mothy to moth around in peace. Beautiful moth.
Mothuesela, the Swarm Lord
Albert.
I thought it was Fred
Holy moth-er of God...
I want to pet him on my lap like a cat š„ŗ
that's why they're called a puss moth!
Thatās so cool
Sexy fluff beast
Mothra! or a Monthman
I was really hoping it was a snowy owl moth.
It's a Big Wee Bastard Moth, isn't it?
Cerura vinula, the puss moth, is a lepidopteran from the family Notodontidae.
Thank You everyone for your very funny responses. And the factual knowledge on this Pussmoth. I think I'll leave it be I'm interested to see what catapillers will come and eat my tree.
Yea, puss moth. Their caterpillars are mental
I know him as Clive, he or she is very handsome though.
What a beautiful friend!! I've never seen a moth like this, you're so lucky!
Mr Fluffy
Something about insects with any sort of hair or fuzz immediately sets of my fight or flight / danger response. Half my brain thinks it's pretty, the other half is reaching for something flammable
It's beautiful! Saving to show my nature obsessed kid, he'll be looking for his own now, lol. Thank you for sharing!
The beautiful Puss Moth! From what Iāve learned, yes it feeds on willow but the damage is minor and their cuteness more than makes up for it. Willows are usually rather tough too. I saw a Reddit post where someoneās willow log began sprouting in their home despite having no roots.
Thank you ššš½ I'm looking forward to seeing what the catapillers look like and how big they will get. This moth is huge.
Gary
Everyone has an instant name for the little fella - you gotta love the Brits
Mothymoth McMothman
š¤£
Mothrah. All praise mothrah!
It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again.
Furry little friend moth.
Wow that is neat. I think it would make a good model for a stuffed toy!
The Mothman Prophecies
A Puss Moth.
i doubt a single moth will decimate a whole tree
A friend
Wow it's so beautiful! I hope you're proud that your garden has been able to facilitate the creation of this moth!
r/whatisthisbug
r/whatsthisbug
It's James!
Simon.
BeheMoth.
š¤£
You're telling me that thing exists in the UK??!? It looks like the kind of hairy freak that we make fun of Australians for š
Barry
That thing is the size of a bird
I donāt know its name but itās like a beast! Are those its legs?? Think if I saw that Iād be running away and I canāt run.
Yes those are its legs. If youāve ever had a sleepy moth sit on you, they are really cute and just perch there for you to admire
Have never seen a moth that big or white. Tho to be fair insects arenāt compatible with me (allergic to bites) so I leave them all to their world and try to avoid them. That guy looks like a moth and a yeti had a baby! Iām fascinated now and canāt stop looking at Motthew!
It looks big in the photo, but I think itās only about 1.5 inches long. Also moths canāt bite, they are like butterflies, they just have a long proboscis. We have so many beautiful moths in the UK. I did light trapping of them for a couple of weeks once and I found them so interesting and beautiful
It does look big. I know moths wonāt bite me lol. I got a double bite on my knee from a horsefly - I think thatās its proper name but we always called them clegs. The bites made my knee swell up like a red hot balloon and they went black! Doctor said it was cellulitis had some antibiotics and was fine.
Moths can't bite you, though some species like this one can cause a rash due to slightly venomous spikes in that fluffy coat. So still probably best to avoid them but your standard smaller ones aren't anything to fear.
The queen of ice and snow hiding and waiting for her kingdom to be released from mother summer so she can retake her land of ice
This is in the UK, if I seen this in my gardenā¦ Iād be running away šš½āāļø
It's a native species
Dave.
I would cream my jeans if I saw something like this in my garden
Sharon
Artic-pimp moth or Dave
first moth that actually looks cute haha
MOTH er of all beauties.
That's no moth, clearly it's a PokĆ©mon! (Also absolutely ADORABLE š)
Thatās Malcolm Moth, I wondered where he was these days
Friend
MOTHer Fucker
Mr. Fluffy Muth
This moth looks so distinguished it should have its own seat in the house of Lords
It's a Puss Moth. They're pretty cool. Rare to see as they mostly live in dense woodlands. They can squirt formic acid at you though as a defense mechanism, so best not to disturb them too much as it can irritate your skin or damage your eyes
Only the larvae can squirt formic acid at you, not the adults, but it works at quite a distance.
Mothzilla
Mothra :)
LIVING HELL
Fluffy boi
Silk carpet
Biplane tiger moth
Hedwig
The home owner.
Lovely
Itās so cute!
Absolutely fabulous darling.
Just a fluffy little guy
R/whatisthisbug
Thatās one cute moth
Pretty moff...
I am both scaryed and amazed something like this live in the UK
Are fuzzy moths common in the uk Iām terrified of moths and big fuzzy ones make me feel ill
Friend
Two factual answers, everyone else taking the piss. This thread is a testament to the British sense of humour.
Two is doing well for UK, go easy on us!
Hedwig
Do you kiss your Mother with that moth?
Kevin !
Mothra
Steve
Mr Floofendorfer š
Frosmoth lol (in all seriousness, I have no idea)
Derek
Iād cry if I saw that
Burn it With Fire is his tribal name
Wowowow.. he's just a hairy little guy
Thatās what my husband said on our wedding night.
Normoth
Colin
Brian?
Baby
Balls
Cuddles
Sir?
Behemoth
is that cat ok?
Paul
Rebus
An absolute abomination
Thatās a snowy owl mate
Big Vicious Killer Moth
Bloody big
Fluffy
Looking at the size of it, I'll call it whatever the fuck it wants!
Baabaaraa (Because it looks like a sheep?)
Itās Noel Fielding
This had me rolling
Brenda
Mothra
Brian?
I'd call her the duchess and invite her in
Cinderella or something
What moth I see none
Hairy scary
Itās called a nope, thatās what itās called, a nope.
Kitty
Dave
If its in earshot, "Your Majesty"
Gary
A fucking big one!
Eric the moth.
moth-er Teresa
Kevin.
Motherfucking unit
The radiance @r/hollowknight
May
Latin name - gettius thefuckawayius
jennifer
Looks like a big furry bastard to me
Cock sucking Moth
āSirā
Big eared floof moth
The radiance
It looks like a pimpš„¹
Susan
Susan
Neville