INSECTS

LEPIDOPTERA / GEOMETRIDAE [70]

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.

70.252  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.