White Ermine is a common Spring to early Summer moth in Caithness and is just (mid May) starting to appear in good number and will be with us into July. It is widespread in the County and the larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants including nettle and dock.

In the north of Scotland the background colour of the wing is creamy buff to brownish - this example is particularly dark. This can lead to confusion with Buff Ermine particularly as the amount of spotting varies from individual to individual. In Buff Ermine the rather elongated spots extend down to the outer corner of the wing in a continuous line. Buff Ermine has not been recorded in Caithness.