The  Insects of the British Isles

by Dave Hatton

SPECIES SEARCH

TO SEARCH THIS WEBSITE

 CLICK HERE

COPYRIGHT RESERVED

© 2008

HOME PAGE

ENNOMINAE FAMILY LIST

MAIN FAMILY LIST

CLICK TO ENLARGE

NEXT SPECIES

<BACKWARD ..... FORWARD>

PICTURE: Caught at light, at Woodhall Lake, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, March 2012.

DISTRIBUTION: This moth is a widely distributed resident over the British Isles, and is fairly common in most area's. The adult moths are quite variable in colour, and have a wingspan of 36mm to 42mm. There are several melanic forms of the moth.

WING SPAN: 36 to 42mm.                                   STATUS: Resident.          

FLIGHT PERIOD: This species is single brooded and the male adult moths fly from mid February to April. The male seldom comes to light, and can be found with a torch resting on the stems and twigs of low bushes.  Male moths also appear to have quite a short life span, only living for about two to three days. The female moth is wingless, and may be found on the trunks of tree's such as Oak.

LARVAL PERIOD: Caterpillars feed from April through into June on various tree's and shrubs. Pupation takes place in late June, or early July at the foot of the tree, just under the surface of the soil.

HABITAT: Habitats are bushy places with tree's and include, suburban parks and gardens, commons, heathland, woods etc.                  

FOOD PLANT/S: Various tree's and shrubs including, Oak, Silver Birch, Elm, Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel and Sallow.                                             

SIMILAR SPECIES: Some forms resemble the Mottled Umber. How ever the distinct row of dots along the edges of the hind wings separates the two.

Please send your comments and feedback on the email address below

COPYRIGHT RESERVED

webmaster@dhlepidoptera.org.uk

© 2011