Malacosoma sp. from Switzerland

Hi everyone,

Last week I collected some Malacosoma larvae in Wallis at 850m. is it possible to identify the larvae at species level? I am very interested if someone can tell me if they are
alpicola, franconica or castrensis. The first pictures is of the L4 stage, the 2nd of L5. I can make better pictures if necessary. All help much appreciated.

Regards,
Klaas

Hi Rudi,

The first day I found the group on Rumex acetosa. The next day they had moved to a small bush of Prunus spinosa,
and I saw some eating from it. I know M. alpicola is common high up the same mountain, but I have never found M. alpicola
below 1700m before...

Regards, Klaas

Hallo Werner,

Thank you for your help but I'm sure it's not neustria. My caterpillars don't have dark spots on the eyes.

Regards, Klaas

Here are some pictures of a female and a male. I am not completely certain it's alpicola, because the yellow markings on the male are not so clear.
Also, in 'Jaroslav Fajcik: Die Schmetterlinge Mittel- und Nordeuropas' the distribution of alpicola is said to be > 1600m and franconica < 1500m.
The larvae I collected were below 900m. I hope someone can help me!

Vielen Dank Armin!