INSECTS

LEPIDOPTERA / GEOMETRIDAE [70]

The Geometridae is a large family of moths which includes Waves, Carpets, Pugs, Thorns and Emeralds. Most species have broad, rather triangular forewings and light slender bodies. The antennae are never club-shaped. A number of species have females that are unable to fly and need to walk to disperse their eggs. 

70.004 Least Carpet is a tiny macro species with a wingspan of 19-21mm that flies from June to August. Its larvae can be found on ivy which is one of the larval foodplants.

70.006 Dwarf Cream Wave flies in June and July. The larval foodplant is unknown, but in captivity the caterpillars have fed on dandelions, knotgrass and bramble.

70.012 Treble Brown Spot flies in May until September in two generations. The larval foodplant feed on various plants including Knotgrass and Ivy.

70.029 Blood-vein moths are found in a range on habitats from May until September. Larvae feed on low-growing vegetation such as dock plants.

70.036 Maiden's Blush inhabits oak woodland and is seen flying from April to August. Its larvae feed on oak leaves.

70.045 Shaded Broad-bar is a common moth found throughout the UK in July and August. Vetches and Clover are known larval foodplants. Wingspan up to 30mm.

70.054 Silver-ground Carpet  is  a rather variable species, but all forms have a distinctive whitish ground colour. The central band can vary a lot. This moth visits herbaceous plants from May to July.

70.059 Yellow Shell is a day-flying moth on the wing from June until August. Colouration and patterning is very variable. Its larvae feed on Cleavers and Bedstraws.

70.061 Common Carpet  Epirrhoe alternata and Wood Carpet E. rivata look very similar, the latter being slightly larger. Both species feed on bedstraws.

70.067 Streamer is an attractive springtime moth. It inhabits woodland, scrub and hedgerows. Its larvae feed on dog-rose and other wild roses.

70.095 Red-Green Carpet flies from September until November and then again from March until May after hibernation. Mainly a woodland species, its larvae feed on various broadleaved trees.

70.097 Common Marbled Carpet flies from May to October in two broods. The wing pattern is very variable. Its larvae feed on woody plants.

70.141 Double-striped Pug is seen from March to September usually before dusk and in hot sunshine. This species is found in a variety of habitats and its larvae feed on a wide range of plants. It can be attracted to light.

70.144 Green Pug flies from June to August. It has variable colour, sometimes very dark forms and some that do not show any green. Larval foodplants include Apple, Pear, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Cherry.

70.159 Cypress Pug arrived in this country by accident on garden conifers. Since the initial British record at Cornwall during 1959 it had now spread across most of southern England. August and September are peak flying months for this species.

70.173 Lime-speck Pug flies from April to October in two broods. Its larvae feed on a wide range of plants.

70.176 Freyer's Pug flies in May and June. Its larvae feed on Cypress and Juniper.

70.198 Seraphim flies in May and June. There are variations including banded forms. This species inhabits broad-leaved woodland. The larvae feed on Aspen and Black Poplar.

70.200 Yellow-barred Brindle flies from May until September in two broods. Fresh specimens are green before fading to yellow. Its larvae feed on Holly, Ivy, Privet, Dogwood and Hawthorn.

70.203 Orange Underwing is a day-flying moth seen on sunny days in March and April. They tend to stay near the top of birch trees, but are sometimes seen lower down on gorse bushes.

70.207 Clouded Border flies from May until July. Its larvae feed on aspen, poplar, sallow and willow.

70.208 Scorched Carpet flies from April until September. Spindle is its larval foodplant.

70.222 Brown SIlver-line flies during May and June. Its larvae feed on Bracken.

70.234 Canary-shouldered Thorn visits woodland and gardens where the larvae feed on a range of deciduous trees. Maximum wingspan 42mm.

70.241 Scalloped Oak is a common moth on the wing in July and August.

70.244 Feathered Thorn derives its name from the feathery antennae of the male. The species flies late in the year and is found in woodland, parks and gardens. This is a rather pale specimen, they are generally more reddish-brown.

70.245 March Moth is a woodland species. The males fly from February until April. Females are wingless and rarely seen. Larval foodplants include Oak, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

70.247 Pale Brindled Beauty  Phigalia pilosaria  flies from December to March. The larvae feed on broadleaved trees.

70.251 Oak Beauty Biston strataria flies from February until April. Its larvae feed on broadleaved trees.

70.252  Peppered Moth  Biston betularia flies from May until August. Darker moths evolve in polluted locations which allows them to blend in better with their blackened surroundings. The larvae feed on small plants, trees and shrubs.

70.253 Spring Usher is a very variable species from nearly black-and-white to a drab grey. Females are wingless. This winter species inhabits mature oak woodland and areas with scrub oak. Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak are the larval foodplants.

70.254 Scarce Umber is fairly common in woodland and bushy locations despite its name. Males are on the wing from November to early December and have a wingspan of 27-35 mm. Females are wingless and are mainly discovered when they are climbing tree trunks. The caterpillars feed on a range of deciduous trees.

70.256 Mottled Umber flies from October to January. Its larvae feed on broadleaved trees.

70.265 Mottled Beauty flies in June and July. Its larvae feed on woody trees. This is a rather variable species, similar to Willow Beauty but not having the cross-lines converging at the dorsum.

70.280 Clouded Silver frequents woodland and suburban habitats from May to August. Its caterpillars feed on blackthorn and hawthorn.

70.283 Light Emerald is emerald green when newly emerged fading to white after a few days. There are two generations each year; the second is smaller and darker. The larvae feed on a range of trees and shrubs.

70.300 Blotched Emerald normally fly at night; the males attracted to light more than females. With age the green frequently fades to creamy white. Caterpillars start appearing late July but are difficult to spot because they attach leaf pieces to their bodies as a means of camouflage.