Lappet moths are a family of moths named after the distinct skin flaps present on the prolegs of the caterpillar. Their family name comes from the Ancient Greek words lasio, meaning wooly, and campa, meaning caterpillar.
They are large and covered with bristles. Some specimens create nests made of silk, giving them the nickname “tent caterpillars”.
The pupa is brown and segmented, with the moth spending this stage in an egg-shaped cocoon.
Sexual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent. Female moths are larger and slower but mostly resemble their male counterparts.
Color and Appearance
When the wings are opened, they are either brown or grey. When the wings are closed, they fold into a tent shape.
Average wingspan: 2.5-6.4 cm
Flight pattern: Erratic
Season: May-August
The eggs vary in shape – some smooth and others flat. Female moths lay their eggs in clusters, covering them in a material that hardens when exposed to air.
| Other names | Eggars, snout moths, tent caterpillars |
| Distribution | Global |
| Habitat | Varied; spotted in both urban and natural habitats |
| Lifespan of Adults | A few days, though some can live for a week or two. |
| Host Plants | Various shrubs and trees |
| Adult Diet | Those that have mouthparts feed on nectar |
