Wingspan 45-65 mm. Another species which was a favourite with early collectors, who selectively bred it to create unusual colours and forms.

Gardens, water meadows, marshes, fens, sand-dunes and open woodland.

It flies in July and August and will regularly visit the light-trap.

The caterpillars are the 'woolly bears' of many people's childhood and feed on a number of herbaceous plants.

Once a quite common moth in most of Britain, it seems to have declined in many places in the last few years. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

It has become quite scarce in Leicestershire and Rutland over recent years.