Summer 2011 – Spindle Ermine

In central Scotland we regularly see Bird Cherry trees defoliated by the larvae of Bird Cherry Ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella). We do not however usually see Spindle Ermine (Yponomeuta cagnagella) because Spindle (Euonymus europaeus), its main foodplant, is a plant of calcareous soils, especially the chalky soils of southern England. Nevertheless, related species of Euonymus are less calcium dependent and are grown in gardens and one of these, Japanese Spindle (E. japonicus), is grown as a hedge and can be an alternative foodplant for Spindle Ermine. It was from a totally defoliated hedge of this shrub growing around the car park of Wickes Home Improvement Store in Stirling that on 21st May Hugh Clayden recovered pupae and larvae and sent them to the author. They hatched into Spindle Ermine a new species for Stirlingshire.