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Buff-tip
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Notodontidae
Genus: Phalera
Species:
P. bucephala
Binomial name
Phalera bucephala
Illustration from John Curtis's British Entomology Volume 5

The buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found throughout Europe and in Asia to eastern Siberia.[1] The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Description

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The moth is a fairly large, heavy-bodied species with a wingspan of 55–68 mm (2.2–2.7 in). The forewings are grey with a large prominent buff patch at the apex. As the thoracic hair is also buff, the moth resembles a broken twig when at rest. The hindwings are creamy white. Seitz - Head, collar and centre of thorax brownish yellow, patagia greyish white with a black-brown double basal edge, on the transverse crest 2 black-brown transverse lines, hind margin greyish white. Abdomen yellowish grey to yellowish brown. Forewing greyish brown, broadly white at the base and along the hind margin, with prediscal dark brown and black double band; at the apex a large oval yellow patch reaching down to vein 4, proximally bordered by a dark red-brown semicircle, and traversed below the apex by a broad dentate dull ochreous submarginal spot; the black postdiscal band semicircular in the costal half, parallel with the dark border of the apical patch, and then dentate, accompanied on the outer side by a dark brown line; discal spot whitish; the scaling with a strong silky gloss, excepting the apical patch. Hindwing whitish grey, with a very slight indication of a dark median band. On the underside both wings have a prominent black-brown discal band, forewing moreover with a black-browia marginal line. Throughout Europe with the exception of the Arctic Region and Greece; also in North-East Africa, Asia Minor, Siberia to East Asia. In Central Europe abundant everywhere in May and June, a second brood in July and August appears regularly only in the South. — In Norway and Southern Sweden, also in England occurs a dark form, tenebrata Strand, [subspecies P. b. tenebrata Strand, 1903] in which the white colouring of the forewing is more or less strongly reduced, particularly in the median area, while the hindwing is paler or darker grey. In ab. demaculata Strand (47 d) [aberration] the pale discal spot of the forewing moreover is absent. — bucephalina Stgr.,[ now species Phalera bucephalina (Staudinger & Rebel, 1901)] which represents the species in Western Morocco, is also characterised by a darker colouring of the ground. In addition, the discal spot is more prominent and the apical patch larger, in which characters this form approaches the next species, bucephaloides. — In the East-Asiatic infulgens Graes. (47 d)[now subspecies P. b. infulgens Graeser, 1888], which is common in the Amur and Ussuri districts, the whole forewing is uniformly whitish grey without gloss, the anterior half being hardly darker than the hind margin; the hindwing is somewhat narrower. — Egg strongly, convex green with darker top and paler base. Larva orange yellow, with glossy black head and yellowish grey hair, as well as black longitudinal stripes interrupted bet- ween the segments, 5 stripes dorsally and 2 laterally, between the latter pair the black spiracles are placed.Underside black with broad yellow median stripe, abdominal legs black outside and yellow inside. June to October, on Salix, Poplar, Birch, Lime and Oak. Pupa glossy black-brown, sometimes hibernating twice.[2]

The moth flies at night in June and July[a] 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.

Natural history

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Historically, the buff-tip moth has been referred to as a pest due to their tendency to feast upon apple trees in Lithuania during the 1900s. Outbreaks of this species may increase in areas with high levels of environmental nitrogen compounds.[3][4]

Recorded food plants

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For details see Robinson et al., 2010.[5]

Subspecies

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  • P. b. bucephala
  • P. b. tenebrata
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  • Eggs
    Eggs
  • Caterpillar
    Caterpillar
  • Adult in profile
    Adult in profile
  • Adult back
    Adult back
  • Adult front
    Adult front
  • Male
    Male
  • Habitat
    Habitat

Notes

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References

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Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Buff-tip

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) is a species in the family , celebrated for its exceptional that mimics a snapped twig, complete with buff-colored head and wing tips resembling fresh wood breaks. With a ranging from 44 to 68 mm, the adult displays silvery-grey wings mottled to blend with , holding them vertically against its body at rest. Native to —including widespread populations across the —and extending into parts of such as , it is a nocturnal flier active primarily from late May to July. The life cycle of the Buff-tip begins with eggs laid in clusters on host plants, hatching into gregarious, hairy caterpillars that are strikingly yellow with black heads and stripes, reaching up to 50 mm in length. These larvae feed voraciously from to October on leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs, including , , , sallow, lime, and , often causing noticeable defoliation but rarely long-term damage to healthy . After feeding, the caterpillars pupate in the , overwintering as pupae before adults emerge in spring. Common in open woodlands, hedgerows, scrub, and gardens where suitable host plants abound, the Buff-tip contributes to as a food source for birds and other predators, though its cryptic resting posture enhances survival. It is frequently attracted to at night and is considered locally common in southern Britain, with records indicating stable populations.

Taxonomy

Classification

The buff-tip moth, Phalera bucephala, belongs to the order within the superfamily Noctuoidea. It is classified in the family , a diverse group of approximately 3,800 species of prominent moths characterized by their notched wing margins and often twig-like resting postures. Within , P. bucephala is placed in the subfamily Phalerinae, which recent phylogenomic analyses have confirmed as a well-supported featuring moths with specialized adaptations. The binomial name Phalera bucephala was originally described by in 1758 as Phalaena bucephala. The genus Phalera, established by Jacob Hübner in 1819, encompasses around 50 species, predominantly distributed across and exhibiting similar cryptic morphologies such as . Phylogenetic studies indicate that Phalera species, including P. bucephala, form a monophyletic group within Phalerinae, with close relatives in sharing convergent traits for branch that likely evolved as antipredator defenses.

Subspecies

The buff-tip Phalera bucephala is represented by three recognized as valid (as of 2023) in taxonomic checklists such as the Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure (PESI), drawing from Europaea data: the nominal P. b. bucephala, P. b. bucephalina Staudinger, 1901, and P. b. tenebrata Strand, 1903. The nominal P. b. bucephala (Linnaeus, ) exhibits the typical grey-buff coloration on the forewings with a prominent yellowish-brown apical spot and pale yellow hindwings marked by a fuscous fascia; it is the dominant form across much of the species' range, including northern and , the , , (with a gap in the central region), the , Korea, and northeastern . P. b. tenebrata Strand, , is distinguished by its darker, more melanistic appearance, featuring fuscous greyish hindwings, reduced buff tipping on the forewing apices, and more pronounced tenebrous (dark) shading overall, which enhances its cryptic resemblance to snapped twigs; this subspecies occurs primarily in northern European ranges, including the , , and parts of Britain. P. b. bucephalina Staudinger, 1901, is a less commonly discussed , primarily recorded from and , with morphological variations potentially intermediate between the nominal form and other variants.

Description

Adult morphology

The adult Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) is a robust, heavy-bodied species measuring 44–68 in . Its forewings are predominantly silvery-grey, marked by a prominent buff (pale yellowish-brown) patch at the apex and subtle darker lines that enhance a veined, twig-like texture. The hindwings, creamy white in color, remain concealed against the body during rest. The body features a dense covering of buff hairs on the thorax, creating the illusion of a snapped twig's frayed end, while the head bears feathery, bipectinate antennae in males adapted for detecting female pheromones. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with females typically larger (forewing length 26–34 mm) than males (forewing length 22–26 mm) and possessing less elaborate antennae. These traits collectively enable effective twig mimicry when the wings are folded tightly along the body.

Immature stages

The eggs of the Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) are small, measuring 0.8–0.9 mm in diameter, and feature a convex upper portion that is bright with a dark depressed spot, while the lower part is dark green or beige with a flat base for to leaves; the is finely ribbed. They are laid in clusters of 20 to nearly 100 eggs in a single layer on the undersides of host plant leaves during summer. The larval stage consists of five s, with early instars appearing pale yellow and covered in blackish-brown spots, exhibiting gregarious as they feed together on foliage. As development progresses, later instars develop yellow bodies with longitudinal black and white stripes, yellow or orange segmental rings, and white lateral markings, serving as warning coloration to deter predators; fully grown larvae reach 50–60 mm in length, bear fine greyish-white hairs, and have a black head capsule with an inverted yellow Y-mark from the fourth instar onward. The thoracic legs are black, and the prolegs on the fifth abdominal segment are forked without crochets. The measures 30–40 mm in length, initially green but turning reddish-brown or purple-brown, and is enclosed within a cocoon formed in the on the ground or occasionally on bark, where it overwinters until spring emergence.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) is a Palearctic native to much of and temperate . Its range encompasses from the and in the north to the Mediterranean basin in the south, extending eastward through the , , , and into the regions of Korea and , as well as . Within , the moth is widespread and occurs at altitudes up to 2200 m in some areas, with consistent records across the continent including frequent sightings in countries like since the mid-20th century. In the , it is well distributed throughout , as well as the Isle of Man and , but becomes more local in mainland and rare in Ireland. Vagrant or marginal records exist in , but no established populations have been documented outside the as of 2025. In Britain, the species has expanded northward since the , coinciding with warming trends, while its distribution remains stable in central European regions. Abundance is notably higher in deciduous woodlands, as indicated by UK moth monitoring efforts, where it is common in but patchier further north.

Habitat preferences

The Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) primarily inhabits woodlands, hedgerows, shelterbelts, parklands, and systems that support a diversity of host trees and shrubs for its larvae. It favors open habitats and the edges of these woodlands, where sunlight penetration supports larval development on foliage, while generally avoiding coniferous forests that lack suitable . Microhabitat requirements include sunny margins for gregarious larval feeding on leaves, buds, and shoots, as well as loose soils at the base of host plants for pupation, where the species overwinters as a . The moth demonstrates notable tolerance to urban and suburban settings, occurring in parks, orchards, and gardens with poplars, willows, and other trees that provide essential host availability. This occupies an altitudinal range from to about 1,700 m in the , thriving in the temperate climates of the , particularly within broadleaf and mixed forest biomes. Recent observations highlight its adaptation to suburban areas, including energy plantations and urban greenery, potentially facilitated by the expansion of suitable vegetation in human-modified landscapes.

Biology and ecology

Life cycle

The Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) exhibits univoltine in northern regions, completing one generation annually, though populations in southern areas may occasionally produce a second generation, rendering them bivoltine. This variation reflects regional climatic differences influencing developmental timing. Eggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of host leaves from to by emerging adult females. Hatching occurs 14–21 days later, initiating the larval stage that spans late July to October, during which the caterpillars feed gregariously on foliage (detailed in the Host plants section). In October, fully developed larvae descend to pupate in the , entering to overwinter; this pupal stage persists from October through May of the following year. Adults emerge from pupae primarily between late May and July, with peak flight activity in June and July; they are nocturnal, often active at . Emergence timing can be delayed in cooler years due to temperature-dependent development. Population outbreaks occur periodically every 5–10 years, often following mild winters that enhance pupal survival, leading to increased larval densities and localized defoliation.

Host plants

The larvae of the buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) primarily feed on trees from the families (including willows and poplars), (birches and hazels), (limes), and (oaks). Other recorded hosts include species from (elms) and (such as apple). Specific host species documented include (goat willow), (black poplar), (silver birch), and (small-leaved lime). According to the Natural History Museum's HOSTS database, over 20 host plant species across at least 10 families have been recorded for P. bucephala, with additional reports expanding this to 11 families including Grossulariaceae (currants). Early-instar larvae feed gregariously, scraping and skeletonizing the surfaces, which causes yellowing and browning. Later instars shift to defoliating entire leaves, often preferring young foliage and consuming the leaf blades while leaving only the thick veins; a single larva may eat approximately 20 leaves (10–12 g of ) during development on . Although P. bucephala is polyphagous, it occasionally acts as a pest in orchards, particularly on apple ( spp.) in , where larvae can cause localized defoliation. No major outbreaks have been reported since the , when damage reached up to 60% of tree crowns over affected areas, though minor incidents continue in energy plantations and systems.

Behavior and mimicry

The adult Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) exhibits remarkable as a primary behavioral for predator avoidance. When at rest, it folds its wings tightly around its body, closely resembling a snapped twig with silvery-gray bark and a frayed, buff-colored tip at the end, which mimics the broken edge of the twig. This cryptic is particularly effective during daytime, when the moth remains motionless on tree trunks or branches in broadleaved woodlands, blending seamlessly with its surroundings to evade visual predators such as birds. Nocturnal habits further enhance the moth's survival strategy. Adults are active primarily at night from May to , flying after and occasionally being drawn to artificial lights, though they show limited response to traps. By day, they perch inconspicuously on bark, relying on their twig-like appearance to avoid detection. Mating occurs shortly after adult emergence, with females releasing sex pheromones in the post- period to attract males over short distances; no territorial behaviors have been observed in either sex, consistent with the species' non-aggressive dispersal patterns. Larval behavior shifts across instars, balancing gregarious feeding with defensive adaptations. Early instars are highly social, feeding in clusters on undersides and using their striking bodies with heads and longitudinal stripes as warning coloration to deter predators, often accompanied by synchronized defensive postures such as raising the front end or bending into a U-shape to release a repellent . In later instars, larvae become solitary and more mobile, dispersing to defoliate entire leaves and shoots while consuming substantial —up to 10–12 grams per individual on host trees like —before pupating in the . Environmental factors influence , particularly through historical outbreaks linked to pollution-enhanced host plant growth. For instance, a notable outbreak on trees along motorways in the late 20th century was attributed to elevated deposition from emissions, which improved foliar and supported higher larval survival rates despite limited predation pressure. Such events, including significant defoliation episodes in European forests during the 1870s, 1890s, and 1940s, underscore how anthropogenic nutrient enrichment can amplify the moth's ecological impact in fragmented habitats.

References

  1. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/buff-tip
  2. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/moths/buff-tip-moth
  3. https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/buff-tip-moth
  4. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.40286
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7771136/
  6. https://www.naturespot.org/species/buff-tip
  7. https://scholarlypress.si.edu/store/all/phylogenomics-of-prominent-moths-lepidoptera-notodontidae-a-subfamily-level-reclassification/
  8. https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/phalera-bucephala/
  9. https://ftp.funet.fi/index/Tree_of_life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/noctuoidea/notodontidae/phalerinae/phalera/
  10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391348388_Phylogenomics_of_Prominent_Moths_Lepidoptera_Notodontidae_A_Subfamily-Level_Reclassification
  11. http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=urn:lsid:faunaeur.org:taxname:446378
  12. https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id53078/
  13. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/lepindex/detail?taxonno=60695
  14. https://www.bulgarialeps.com/index.php?id=138&spid=10293
  15. https://britishlepidoptera.weebly.com/71-notodontidae.html
  16. https://journals.iung.pl/index.php/archpja/article/view/220/170
  17. https://www.pyrgus.de/Phalera_bucephala_en.html
  18. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305177223_New_Notodontidae_species_for_Mongolian_Fauna_Lepidoptera
  19. https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/sobm-final-version.pdf
  20. http://www.pyrgus.de/Phalera_bucephala_en.html
  21. https://www.forestpests.eu/pest/phalera-bucephala
  22. https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/native-species-that-may-be-mistaken-for-oak-processionary-moth/
  23. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/why-moths-matter/what-are-moths/moth-camouflage
  24. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/1171037
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