Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria)

OTHER NAMES: The Drinker

Latin Etymology: Euthrix (?) potatoria (?)

Larval form of Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria - unknwon subspecies) at Rainham Marshes, London - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: ?
Wingspan: 45-65m
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The adult of the drinker moth is a fairly large round species which is almost entirely unfirmly brown.  As a caterpillar it can grow up to 6cm long and it is this form that gives it it's name - it allegedly drinks dew while in this form.  It also hibernates over its first Winter before eventually flying in July and August.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lasiocampidae
Genus: Euthrix
SUBSPECIES: E. p. askoldensis, E. p. bergmani, E. p. feminalis, E. p. potatoria 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident.

 - Seen at Rainham Marshes,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)

OTHER NAMES: Weasel
Latin Etymology: Mustela ("weasel") nivalis ("snowy")

Adult Least Weasel (subspecies M. n. nivalis) at Summer Leys, Northants - September 2025

Featured Subspecies: Mustela nivalis nivalis
Weight: 29-270g  /  Length: 130-260mm
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Least Weasel is perhaps most notable as the smallest of all of carnivora in not just the UK but the entire world - and also among the most broadly distributed being found across most of the Northern Hemisphere.  Despite it's tiny size however, it is proportionately an incredibly powerful predator - for an animal whose skull can apparently fit through a wedding ring they can take down prey that is vastly larger than them such as rabbits.  A widely common species throughout the UK, but also rarely seen - I've only seen a handful ever and always unexpectedly.

Related Species:
Order: Carnivora 
Family: Mustelidae 
Genus: Mustela 
SUBSPECIES: M. n. nivalis, M. n. allegheniensis, M. n. boccamela, M. n. campestris, M. n. caucasica, M. n. eskimo, M. n. heptneri, M. n. mosanensis, M. n. namiyei, M. n. numidica, M. n. pallida, M. n. pygmaea, M. n. rixosa, M. n. rossica, M. n. russelliana, M. n. stoliczkana, M. n. tonkinensis, M. n. vulgaris, M. n. vulgaris

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Description

 - Seen at Rainham Marshes and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .