The Barberry Carpet is a strikingly deepbrown Carpet Moth. It has a greyish ground colour covered in bands, wavy lines and some dots in brown, black and grey. It has a lot of these wavy lines, which makes it hard to give an accurate description, but the pictures will give you the general idea. It does not look like any other moth actually, but might be mixed up with the Ruddy Carpet, which is more reddish than brownish. Another look-a-like is the Streamer, which has less wavy lines and a much greyer appearance. The wingspan of the Barberry Carpet is some 27 to 32 mm.
The caterpillars of the second generation appear in August and will pupate even before the end of September. They do so in a light cocoon, usually just under the ground, but sometimes between dead leaves. The pupa overwinters. The moths do not appear before May next year to deliver the first generation. The larvae are brown. On the sides there is a wavy white line, often with three or more big black dots just above the line. The caterpillars are easier to find than the moths for they love sunbathing in broad daylight. They live on Berberis, both the wild variety and the cultivars.
Double-brooded flying about in May and June and later in August and September. Hardly ever seen in July. On the wing from early evening on and sometimes seen flying about the foodplant at dusk. May be disturbed while resting in the foodplant during daylight. Readily comes to lights at night. A very rare species in Britain with only very few breeding areas. The Barberry Carpet Moth is in the Red Data Book, so don't catch it but take pictures only! Used to be extremely rare in Holland as well, but is regularly seen nowadays, especially in gardens and parks. This is probably due to the use of Berberis plants as garden ornaments or hedges to keep the neighbour's cat out... In other parts of Europe a rare species as well, if present.
This very small Geometer looks rather like a Pyralid Moth. The markings on the front wings however are typical for a Geometer. If in doubt, always take a look at the way the moth is holding its antennae while in rest. Pyralids always put their antennae on top of their body. Usually they are pointing backwards, laying on the wings near the body. Geometers always put their wings under their bodies while at rest. Sometimes they are kept in front of them, but never on top. The Small Rivulet has dark grey wings with a white band in the middle and numerous white lines and smears elsewhere. It looks a lot like the Rivulet, but is smaller. On the hindwing the Rivulet has a conspicuous broad white band, the Small Rivulet a hardly visible, narrow and greyly speckled band. The white band on the front wing has an idention in both species. This idention usually consists of one single dent in the Rivulet and of two dents close together in the Small Rivulet. This characteristic however isn't always clearly visible. The wingspan of the Small Rivulet varies from 22 to 24 mm.
The larvae appear from July and are light green. On both sides runs a broad, pinkish to purplish very broad line and their head is black. From the end of August to the beginning of October they leave the foodplant to go underground to pupate and overwinter. They are some 10 to 13 mm in length. The foodplant is the Hemp-nettel, of which they eat the flowers and seeds. The abundant presence of the Small Rivulet in areas where the foodplant doesn't grow, has lead to the conclusion that there possibly are other foodplants as well. It is not sure which plants these are, even though the Woundwort is often mentioned.
For a single-brooded species the Small Rivulet is on the wing for a long time: from June to mid August. They'll fly from dusk onwards and are attracted to light, but in very unpredictable numbers. Moderately common all over Britain, including the Hebrides and Orkney. In other parts of Europe common, fairly common, or a local species.
This is a pug that is easy to identify, an exception in pugs. It has a white central patch on the forewings and in it, near the front edge of the wing, a clearly marked black spot. The first part of the body is white, followed by a brown part that runs all the way to the tail, which is white. There is a form however that is clearly brown and in which the central patch is grey in stead of white. The clearly marked spot however is at the same place and usually just as striking. In this form the tail lacks the white ending. In some other rarer forms the entire body is white except for a brown ring at the border between thrax and abdomen, but these are scarce. Reaching a wingspan of some 20 to 24 mm this is a very small Geometer, but a rather large pug.
The caterpillar of the Bordered Pug is greyish brown to reddish brown with some dark diamond shaped markings on the back and a wavy line along the sides. It mainly lives on Mugwort, but is seen on other low plants occasionally and eats the flowers as well. During daytime it rests on the ground or the lowest part of the host plant. The caterpillar is very similar to the caterpillar of the Tawny Speckled Pug. The larvae of the latter are found on Sneezewort, Yarrow and other plants and never eat flowers. Caterpillars on Mugwort usually are the Bordered Pug's.
The Bordered Pug has only one generation a year and is a typical summer species, on the wing in July and August mainly. The first may appear by the end of May, though. Is attracted to light. Is on the wing not just at night, but also at dawn and loves to visit flowers, even in gardens. A very common species all over Europe, including the British Isles. Becomes scarcer northwards, but does occur as far north as the Arctic Circle.
Freyer's Pug is not easily identified at times. It is a variable species with lots of subspecies, many of which have been considered to be real species for a long time. The many crosslines in the front wing are the main characteristic. In older specimens though these are often hardly visible. For identification look at the combination of the following features: a grey or sometimes brownish grey colour, numerous crosslines at the front wing, the spot on the front wings is not round, but rather a very short line and there is a clear spot on the hind wings. The Satyr Pug is very similar, but smaller and lighter in colour. The dot on the front wing of this species is round and there is no spot on the back wing. It flies from dusk onwards, while Freyer's Pug only flies by night. Reaching a wingspan of 21 to 25 mm Freyer's Pug is a large pug. There are many subspecies, considered to be species in the past, such as Eupithecia intricata millieraria or the Edinburgh Pug from Scotland and Northern England, Eupithecia intricata hibernica or the Mere's Pug from Burren, Western Ireland and Eupithecia intricata taylorata or Taylor's Cedar Looper from the USA.
The larva is green. It has two rather weak yellowish green lines on the back and a rather thick, whitish green line on the side. Head and legs are green as well. It is extremely difficult to find on the host plants. It is very similar to the caterpillar of the Juniper Carpet, which eventually is bigger and has the lines on the back much thicker and more contrasting. The larvae of Freyer's Pug overwinter as pupa. It hangs freely in a cocoon in the host plants. This species is usually seen on Junipers, including garden varieties, but it is believed to feed on other conifers and pines as well.
Freyer's Pug is a single brooded species on the wing in May and June mainly. It is quite easy to discover this species as it readily comes to light. A common, often very common species all over the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe and all of Britain.
The Dwarf Pug is quite easily identified as such. Especially because of its size: it is one of the smaller pugs around, reaching a wingspan of some 16 to 19 mm only. Compared to other pugs the Dwarf Pug is more brown than grey. Usually also the body gives it away. Just below the thorax is a rather white spot followed by a darkbrownish band. The spot on the forewing is an elonged cirkle and on the hind wing is a clear but small spot. The Oak-tree Pug is similar, but is more boldly marked and often appears to lack the dot on the forewing for it is part of a dark band. The Cloaked Pug is similar too, but has a fine white zig zag line near the edge of the wing. The Dwarf Pug however is very variable and has some melanistic forms: very dark specimens, often difficult to identify.
The larvae can be seen from July to the beginning of September. They are brownish and have a clear darkbrown or black line on the back. There are quite some similar brownish caterpillars on firs. It is often impossible to tell which species the larvae are from. Especially the larvae of the Larch Pug and the Ochreous Pug are real look-a-likes. The larvae make a little hole in the ground, spin a small cocon and pupate in September. In this way they overwinter. The foodplants are Norwegian Spruce, Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. Seldom found on other conifers.
The Dwarf Pug is single-brooded and is on the wing in May and June. In southern Britain mainly in May, in northern parts mainly in June. Because it is on the wing during a relative short period only, it may appear in very great numbers. It is easily attracted by light. This is a local species that appears only if the foodplant of the larva is present. If the foodplants are present, it often is an abundant species, though. A common local species all over Europe, including most of the British Isles.
The first Brindled Pugs appear in March. These are easily identified, for there are no other pugs around this early in the year. But from April other species make their appearance and identifying a Brindled Pug becomes more difficult. One of the characteritics of the Brindled Pug often is the reddish or ocherous brown colour of the vein running parallel to the underedge of the frontwing. The dot in the front wing, common in almost all pugs, is extremely small and absent at times. Often a white wavy line can be seen near the edge of the front wing. The Oak-tree Pug looks like the Brindled a lot, but has a much larger and clearer black spot in the wing. Besides: the Oak-tree Pug looks smaller, has more distinct markings, is rarer and doesn't start flying till half April. The Brindled Pug also comes in melanistic forms regularly. These can only be identified by the shape of the wings. The Brindled Pug reaches a wingspan of some 19 to 23 mm.
The eggs are being laid in April and May. The females prefer young bushy oaks or the lower branches of older trees to do so. The caterpillars are brown with a black line on the back. They are undistinguishable from the larvae of the Oak-tree Pug. In september the caterpillar looks for a crack in the bark of the tree or loose earth, where it makes a cocoon in which it pupates. It overwinters as a pupa. Even though sometimes found on other oaks and Hawthorn, the main foodplant is Pedunculate Oak.
The Brindled Pug is single-brooded, but is on the wing for a relatively long period of time: from half March to the end of May. The greatest numbers however are seen in the second half of April and the beginning of May. Comes to light easily and can also be seen flying in early dusk. The moth doesn't like single oak trees, but prefers rather vast oak forests. When it appears it is usually in great numbers. Common all over Britain and Ireland, except in the Scottish Highlands.
The Golden-rod Pug is a very difficult species to identify. The markings are quite unremarkable and it is extremely similar to the Grey Pug. Experienced moth experts usually are able to tell most specimens apart. The dark spot in the wings, called the discal spot, usually is rounder in the Golden-rod Pug. The Grey Pug's discal spot usually is more of a small line. The Golden-rod Pug normally is more vividly marked than the Grey Pug is. However when you have no experience with these two species, the only way of telling them apart is by examining the genitals. The females especially are extremely difficult to name. Even the size is about the same in both species: their wingspan ranges from 17 to 22mm.
The second generation of adults deposits the eggs on blackthorn and hawthorn. These caterpillars will bring forward the first generation of moths flying about in April and May. The adults of the first generation deposit their eggs on many plants, including Golden-rod, heath, Wild Heather and groundsel. The larvae eating these plants grow very fast to deliver the second brood from July onwards to half August. The caterpillar is brown with black triangular markings and a wavy light line on each side. It pupates in or just above the ground and reaches a length of some 20mm.
The Golden-rod Pug is on the wing in April and May and then again in July and August. It is attracted to light in very small numbers only. Resident species in Northern and Western England and Wales. Scarce in Southern and Eastern England. A local species in lowland Scotland and Ireland. Prefers woodlands on sandy soils. This species is widely distributed in Europe, temperate Asia and Japan.
This Moth is also known as the Olive Moth and the Haworth Moth.
The Double-striped Pug is easily identified. The wings show a few reddish brown patches or are reddish brown entirely. In most other pugs the basic colour is either grey or greyish brown. Then there is the double stripe mentioned in the name of the moth. Yet there are less strikingly marked specimens about and this species soon looses much of its freshness, making it much more obscure. Especially the summer generation usually is quite small and less well marked. The animal in the fourth picture from the top belongs to the summer generation. The Double-striped Pug is very variable anyway. In doubt always look at the wings, for these are extremely pointed. It has no real look-a-likes, so usually it isn't very difficult to name it. The wingspan varies very much as well: from 14 to 20 mm.
The caterpillar is just as variable as the adults are. The basic colour may be white, yellowish green, or reddish brown or even almost black. The best identifier is seen on the back: a number of clearly shaped blackish V-markings. The head is yellowish brown. The larvae eventually will reach a length of some 17 mm. The moths of the first generation will lay their eggs in May. The larvae grow quickly and will pupate in June. The second generation will be present in July. The pupa overwinters. The caterpillar of the Olive Moth is found on a great number of shrubs and lower plants, such as holly, gorse, wild and cultivated heather, ragwort etc. The larvae don't usually eat the leaves, but prefer flowers and fruits.
In (Northern) Scotland the Double-striped Pug has one generation only, on the wing in June and July. In most other parts of Britain two generations appear: the first in April and May and the second in July and August. In Southern England sometimes 3 generations appear, the third flying about in September and October. On the continent even more generations are produced. The animal starts flying in the late afternoon and usually settles before midnight. It is however also observed flying in sunshine. It is easily disturbed resting in bushes. Attracted to light in very small numbers only. A very common species in Europe, including all of the British Isles, often appearing in great numbers.
The Green Pug is green and thus quite easy to identify. Well almost. If you see a greenish pug, first look at the underside of the forewing. A pug with a clearly marked band there belongs to the genus Rhinoprora. If the underside is not clearly marked it belongs to the genus Chloroclystis. Of the Rhinoprora-species (Green Pug, Billberry Pug and Sloe Pug), the Green Pug is most common. The Billberry Pug is somewhat similar, but has no dark bands on its wing, but a series of dots, something we never see on the Green Pug's. The Sloe Pug usually is darker, has faint markings and is less green. The only real similar species is the V-pug. It being a Chloroclystis lacks the markings on the underside of the forewing and has a clear V-sign on the upperside, something never found in the Green Pug. The green usually becomes a kind of brasslike colour in older specimens, not unusual in green Geometers. The amount of green also depends on the light, as can be seen in the pictures, and on the angle of looking at the animal. Some melanistic forms exist, which are difficult to identify. Seeing one of those will mean you'll have to take your field guides, trying to identify the specimen. The wingspan of the Green Pug is some 17 to 22 mm, typical for a Pug.
Females lay their eggs in June on the host plants. And the eggs stay there during summer, autumn and the winter of next year, only to hatch in early spring. It is the moment the new flowerbuds of the host plants start growing. The caterpillar is quite short, but thicker compared to the larvae of other Geometers. It only eats flowerbuds and flowers, living inside or weaving a few flowers together. It grows quickly. The larvae can be found on wild and cultivated apples, pears, cherries and peaches, as well as on hawthorn and blackthorn. It is harmful in breeding fruits. Insecticides and other means are deployed to fight this species. And even though it is not as numerous as it used to be, it is still one of the most common pugs, probably because its caterpillar lives on hawthorn and blackthorn as well.
Because the caterpillar lives on flowers exclusively, the Green Pug is single-brooded. It is on the wing from the end of April to the beginning of August, but most numerous in June. The moth only flies at night, but can be disturbed during day time. It is attracted to light easily. A common species, often appearing in great numbers locally, in England and Wales. Probably well distributed over most of Ireland. A rather local species in Scotland. In other parts of Europe a common, but sometimes local species.
NB In Skinner the Green Pug is still called Chloroclystis rectangulata. In Waring etc. the scientific name Pasiphila rectangulata is used.
The V-pug is easily identified: usually green showing a thick, black V-shaped marking on the front wing. This V actually is part of a black line running across the forewing. Another characteristic is the resting pose. The V-pug is the only pug often seen resting with the wings half way up, or even completely closed above the body, the same way many butterflies keep their wings. The V-shaped marking is always visible. This can not be said of the green colour, for this quickly fades into a brownish or yellowish colour. This is very usual in almost all green Geometers.
Perhaps the adult moths can be identified easily, the larvae are very hard to name. The basic colour may be green, grey, brown or even purple brown. It usually has black triangular markings on the back and dark lines on the sides, but in many darker specimens these markings might be invisible. But even with these markings, the caterpillars are very similar to a number of others. An additional problem is that the larvae live on a great number of host plants. Identifying the host plant doesn't help much in identifying the larva. The caterpillar of the V-pug reaches a length of some 16 mm only. They mainly eat flowers and are rarely found eating leaves. They appear from April onwards and may pupate all summer long. The V-pug overwinters as a pupa underground.
In Northern Britain the V-pug is single-brooded and flies in June and July, sometimes even August. In Southern Britain and neighbouring countries on the continent it is double-brooded. Each generation appears irregularly and the two often overlap. In such cases this species is on the wing from May to September. Most individuals are seen in June and July, though. It flies from dusk to dawn. During the day sometimes seen resting on fences or walls. Comes to light in small numbers only. Common in lowland England, Wales and Southern Scotland, the Channel Isles and most of Ireland. Rare elsewhere. In most of Europe very common, but only a local species in some parts.
The Dentated Pug is bigger than most other pugs (and is not a pug really). But it certainly does look like one. The edge of the hindwing is dentated and this makes it extremely easy to identify this species, even when it's worn out. The wingspan usually is some 20 to 25 mm.
The caterpillar is bright green. A conspicuous white line runs over the sides. There are a varying number of other very small yellowish or whitish lines running over back and sides. The segments are yellow on either end. The head is dull green and the caterpillars of the Dentated Pug will reach a length of 22 mm at most. The eggs hatch from the end of July. The larvae feed at night and rest at day, often on shoots of the plants or fully strectched on the center vein of a leaf. They are very hard to discover. To overwinter the larvae spin a cocoon in the foodplant and in it they pupate. The only foodplant known is Yellow Foodstrife, of which leaves and flowers are eaten. This species doesn't like warmth and drought. The foodplants choosen are usually in the shade and it prefers swamps, marshes, river banks etc. The pupae are difficult to breed in captivity as they soon dry out.
In Britain the Dentated Pug is single brooded and on the wing in June and July. Starts flying in early dusk. Comes to light in small numbers and is rarely seen otherwise. Prefers wet or damp places. In Britain a scarce species, only to be found in parts of England and Wales. Not seen in Scotland and Ireland, even though the foodplant is abundantly present. On the continent less scarce, but not common anywhere. Is double-brooded on most of the continent.
The Dingy Shell is one of the easiest species to identify. It is sandy brown and always rests with the wings fully closed. On the brownish underside of the wings are a few darker lines, but you don't need these to identify this Geometer. The wingspan is 20 to 23 mm, meaning it is not very variable in size.
From late May the eggs are deposited on the only foodplant known in Britain (Alder). The first caterpillars usually appear in early July. They are yellowish green and often have a broad dark dorsal line, often blocked. They feed till the end of September. Then they will find a good spot in mosses on tree trunks, branches or on the ground and will pupate. The pupa overwinters. The larvae are not very big, for the length usually doesn't exceed 18 mm. On the continent the caterpillars are found on Birch as well as on Alder.
In Britain the Dingy Shell flies in just one generation in July and August. In nearby parts of the continent it flies in two generations, starting in early May. It is regularly seen active during the day and may even visit flowers in garden and parks during sunshine. Is easily disturbed when resting. Comes to light, but in very small numbers only. A species to be found particularly in damp areas in England and Wales. Has a similar habitat on the continent. Is never found in great numbers, neither in Britain, nor on the continent.
Being adult Thorns and allies do not look like other Geometers very much. The side of the wings is often very dented, they have a rather big body and the wings are never hold flat against the surface. In stead they are kept half or fully upright, the same way butterflies usually keep their wings. Most of the time the Early Thorn keeps his wings fully upright. This prevents you from seeing the darkened tops of the wing, a good characteristic for this species. For in the Early thorn the darkening gradually ends, in the similar Purple Thorn the darkening ends abruptly. The Purple Thorn usually sits in another posture: wings half opened and curled. In almost all cases the resting posture is sufficient to tell these two species apart. The Early Thorn is a rather big moth. However the specimens on the wing in spring are more colourful and much larger (wingspan up to 52 mm) than the specimens flying about in summer (wingspan up to 44 mm only).
The caterpillar, a typical Geometer Worm, is light brown with dark brown and greyish markings. The third pair of legs is swollen and on the back are two bumps. These together with the colour and markings make the caterpillar of the Early Thorn look just like a little twig, including buds. If the animal stretches its body and doesn't move it is very hard to spot indeed! Some thick, short hairs also contribute to this illusion. Because the moth is rather big, the caterpillar is too. It may reach a length of some 4 cm. The caterpillars of the summer generation are usually seen in June and July. They remain smaller than the caterpillars of the next generation. These appear from August onwards. Both generations feed on a great number of trees and shrubs, including sallow, birch, honeysuckle, alder and hazel. In October the caterpillars spin together a few leaves and pupate between them. The pupa falls to the ground with the leaves in autumn and overwinters.
The first brood is on the wing in May and June, the second in August and September, but the two generations may be overlapping. In Northern Britain the Early Thorn is single brooded, on the wing in May and June. It starts flying in early dusk. Despite its size, hardly ever seen resting during the day. Comes to light eagerly, even to slightly lit windows. A common species all over the British Isles, including the Inner Hebrides and Orkney. Very common in other parts of Europe too. In southern Europe sometimes a third brood occurs. One of the easiest species to keep in captivity.
The animals depicted here all belong to the first generation, except for the one in the bottom picture, which is much smaller and belongs to the summer generation.
The Purple Thorn is closely related to the Early Thorn and similar. Identification usually is made easy by the white spot in both wings. This looks like a half moon, and thus the moth is called the Half Moon Moth in Dutch. This spot is visible on both sides of each wing, but best seen on the underside. The Purple Thorn normally keeps it wings half raised and slightly curled. The Early Thorn usually keeps it wings fully raised. There is a big difference between animals of the spring generation and those of the summer generation. The spring genaration consists of big animals (wingspan 46 to 52 mm), richly marked and with white patches and lines. Animals of the summer generation are smaller (wingspan 44 to 46 mm), browner, less marked and lack all traces of white, except for the half moon spot. The animal in the picture at the top belongs to the summer generation, all others belong to the spring generation. In northern parts of Europe, where the animal is single brooded, the moths tend to be even more richly marked and coloured.
The caterpillar of the Purple Thorn is greyish or reddish brown and looks like a twig. It has some bumps that do look like buds: two near the front and just after the middle of the body another two. The third pair of legs is swollen, also making a bud like impression. It feeds by day and sits almost motionless during the day. In this way it is so well camouflaged, that it is hardly ever found on the host plants. It may reach a length of almost 4 cm. In October is spins together a few leaves in which it pupates. Leaves and pupa drop to the floor in autumn and the pupa overwinters. Sometimes the larvae falls out of the tree and pupates and overwinters under mosses. The caterpillar can be found on many trees, including oak, birch, alder, hazel and blackthorn.
In Northern Britain the Purple Thorn is single brooded, on the wing from June to August. In Southern Britain is is double brooded, on the wing from April to September. In warmer parts of Europe and occasionally in Southern England a small third generation may be on the wing in September and August. Even though it is not seen very often this is a very common species in most of Europe, but its area doesn't cover northern parts. It is rare or even absent in most of Scotland and Scandinavia, areas where the similar Early Thorn usually is quite common. The moth is not seen frequently. It is well hidden during the day, flies after darkness and comes to light in small numbers only.
The Canary-shouldered Thorn is just one of the many yellow Thorns. Luckily it can be identified easily by the extremely hairy, brightly yellow body. The ground colour of the wings is very variable though. Most animals have more brightly coloured yellow wings. The animal in our picture is unusually dark. The wings are kept half raised, characteristic for most of the Thorns. The Canary-shouldered Thorn reaches a wingspan of some 38 to 42 mm and is among the smaller Thorns.
The larva of the Canary-shouldered Thorn is dark brown with blackish brown markings. It has two small bumps on the back and one relatively big one on the 5th segment. It has another small bump just in front of the tail. Like other larvae of Thorns it looks like a twig very much indeed. Compared to other moths of this size, the caterpillar is very long (up to 5 cm), but very thin as well. And towards the head it is getting even slimmer. The head itself is brown. The eggs are being laid in autumn and they overwinter as such, to hatch only in May of next year. The larvae feed at night and stay motionless during daytime, hoping not to be noticed due to their camouflage. In July they drop to the ground to pupate. Pupation happens in a cocon among leaflitter or under mosses. The caterpillars can be found on a number of trees, including birch, alder, sallow, lime and elm.
The Canary-shouldered Thorn has only one generation a year, on the wing from July to the beginning of October. It only flies during the hours of darkness. Comes to light in reasonable numbers. And that's our luck, for otherwise it is rarely seen at all. A common species all over the British Isles, preferring woodlands, parks, large gardens and sandhills. In most other parts of Europe a very common species too.
As the name implies the Large Thorn is our largest Thorn. At least the females are. Reaching a wingspan of some 55 to 64 mm they are truely enormous and have no similar species to confuse them with. The males on the other hand are much smaller and usually reach a wingspan of some 48 to 54 mm. This makes them just as big as the females of various other Thorn species. Identifying them is easy though, for they are the only Thorns with darkened spots in the corner of the wings. In both genders there is some variation in the number of dark speckles, but overall this is not a variable species at all. Besides the Large Thorn and the Canary-shouldered Thorn there are various other yellowish Thorns in Britain, but most are very local or rare.
The caterpillar of the Large Thorn is similar to other Thorn Geometer Worms, but usually has a brighter colour. It too pretends to be a twig. On the body it has three, rather small bumps only. Like the Canary-shouldered Thorn's larva the caterpillar of the Large Thorn is thin, but long and tapered towards the head, which is brown. It may be well over 5 cm long. The eggs are being laid in September and October and overwinter. Only in May of the next year do they hatch. The caterpillar lives on a large number of trees, including birch, oak, alder, hazel and sycamore. It feeds at night and sits motionless through the day trusting on its camouflage to fool predators. In August it drops to the ground and pupates in a cocoon in leaf litter or under mosses.
The Large Thorn is single brooded and on the wing from July to October. It flies during the hours of darkness and is very difficult to find during daytime. Luckily it is quite easily attracted to light, and that is your best chance of seeing one. It is a local species in South and Central England, probably absent from Wales and certainly absent from Scotland and Ireland, except for a very few records. Common on the continent, but not a northern species, being absent from most of Scandinavia.
The September Thorn is yet another yellowish Thorn. The groundcolour varies from pale yellow to light brown. Even though some specimens are slightly dusted at times, the moth usually is unpatterned. The two lines on the wing run straight without angles. They tend towards eachother at the lower edge of the wings. There is no spot in the middle of the wings and there are no dark patches near the tip of the wings. The September Thorn is similar to the August Thorn, but the latter has the outer line clearly angled and is bigger, but less robust. September Thorns on the wing in July and the beginning of August are usually smaller and paler. The wingspan varies from 38 to 42mm.
The eggs are being laid in autumn on twigs of the foodplant. The eggs overwinter and hatch in May next year. The caterpillars behave in the typical way of Geometer Moths. They feed during the night. Daytime is spent sitting motionless like twig in the food plants. By the end of July a large spinning between leaves is made in which pupation takes place. Some moths do appear after some three to four weeks, but the majority appears by the end of August or in September. The caterpillars are very similar to twigs, including buds. The basic colour is brownish grey or grey, sometimes greenish grey. The head is either grey or brown. The brown, bud like swellings are found on the sides of segments 2, 5 and 6 and on top of segments 5, 8 and 11. The caterpillars are rather thin and long, reaching a length of 40 to 42mm. Foodplants include oak, birch, beech and lime.
The September Thorn has one brood a year and is on the wing from the end of June to mid-October. Moths flying about in June, July and the beginning of August are smaller and paler than specimens on the wing later. They fly by night only, but are attracted to light. And that is a good thing, for they are hardly ever seen otherwise. Animals caught during the night are easily photographed during the day. They may even be manipulated without taking off. The September Thorn is a species found in light forests, preferably on sandy soil. It is a common species in Wales and southern and Central England. Less common in northern England and southern Scotland. Very rare in Ireland. Quite common on the continent too, but usually a rather local species.
The Feathered Thorn is quite a big, rather stout Geometer. The ground colour of the wings is reddish brown to greyish brown and it has the head covered in thick, reddish hairs. On the wings run two dark lines: one just there where the hairs stop and the second one quite close to the edge of the wing. Between the two lines are some very variable dark dots or smears. Usually males are more marked than the females are. The lower edges of the wings are wavily notched. It has big feathery antennae (both ***es!). Coloured like the other thorns, it rests with the wings in a flat position, unlike most others. There is no species like it flying that late in the year. The Feathered Thorn reaches a wingspan of some 46 to 50 mm.
The eggs are laid in autumn in groups on the twigs of one of the foodplants. They hatch next spring. The larvae have an indistinct greyish brown colour with some darker dots or smears. Near the tail are two light brown conical warts. The head is bright brown. They may grow up to 5 cm and are rather fat, especially considering they are Geometers. During the day they rest motionless on the foodplants and mainly feed by night. In June the caterpillars go underground and pupate. The butterflies usually appear in October. The larvae feed on a great variety of trees and shrubs, including Birch, Oak, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Sallow.
The Feathered Thorn is on the wing from mid-September to Mid-November, but is usually seen in October mainly. The males are capable flyers and are attracted to light easily. The females do not fly about a lot and are usually just sitting on a tree trunk, awaiting the arrival of a male. During mild nights the male may fly from just after dark to well after midnight. A woodland species, very common in southern Britain, but scarcer northwards and a local species in Scotland. Very common on the continent as well.
The Scalloped Oak has a remarkable resting posture. The wings are held straight horizontally. Not pointed upwards, like the Thorns, and not flat on the surface, like in most other Geometers. The wings are usually coloured in just one basic colour, with a broad, darker band running over it. In the band a very conspicuous black dot is visible. The colours do vary however and in dark animals, the band may hard to see. And from time to time the band is of a lighter colour then the rest of the wing is. The dot however is always there. It looks like the Scalloped Hazel a lot, but the later has no dot, but a small open circle, and clearer, dented lines around the band. The wingspan is some 40 to 46 mm.
The eggs are being deposited in August or September. They only hatch next spring. The caterpillar of the Scalloped Oak is very variable. It may be greyish green. These animals are extremely hard to find on lichen clad trees. Others are dark brown. These are well camouflaged among twigs. Brown larvae often have a diamond shaped pattern on the back. There is a bump on the 11th segment and the caterpillar's head is brown. The larva isn't very fat, but quite long, reaching a length of some 43 mm. The caterpillar lives on a great number of trees and shrubs, except for conifers. There hardly seems to be a favourite among them. They drop to the ground in June and pupate between leaves or under mosses.
The Scalloped Oak is on the wing in late summer, but the exact period is hard to say. Apparently the flying period depends on the weather. In some years it will be on the wing in July and August mainly, but in others it doesn't start flying before August and is on the wing in September as well. Some animals may fly in October as well. It flies by night only and is rarely seen doing so. During daytime it may be found resting on tree trunks or fences. Luckily it comes to light quite readily, sometimes in great numbers. A common species in most of Britain, including some of the Hebrides. In France, Spain, Portugal and some Mediterranean Isles there is a very similar species called the Dusky Scalloped Oak. This species made it to Guernsey. Usually it is enough to look at the numerous small dots to tell it apart from the Scalloped Oak.
The male Pale Brindled Beauty is a rather dull moth, looking more like an Owlet than like a Geometer. The ground colour is some kind of grey. At about two thirds of the wing there usually is a small blackish brown curved line and near the tip of the wing regularly a blackish spot is visible. It looks very much like the Small Brindled Beauty, which is smaller and which has the wing partly light grey towards the edge. It also looks a bit like the Brindled Beauty, which is much more clearly marked and flies a bit later. All these species also have melanistic forms, which range from darkish brown to blackish brown. In these cases look out for the following characteristics. The Pale Brindled Beauty is entirely unmarked, the Small Brindled Beauty clearly shows a lighter colour towards the edge of the wing and the Brindled Beauty usually still shows a white wavy line just before the edge of the wing. The Pale Brindled Beauty has a wingspan of some 45 to 50 mm. Females are wingless and look like a big, fat, 6-legged spider.
The eggs of the Pale Brindled Beauty hatch in April and the caterpillars feed till the end of June. Fullgrown the larva is rather fat, but tapers towards the head. It usually is greyish brown, being greenish brown at times. It has vague, reddish brown markings. On the back and sides there are some little bumps with a few hairs growing out them. These bumps are best seen in the middle part of the body and towards the tail. The head is greyish or greenish brown. The caterpillar will reach a length of some 38 mm. At first the larvae will eat buds which are still closed, later they'll eat the leaves. They feed by night and rest on the leaves of the host plants by day. By the end of June or the beginning of July they'll move to the ground, where they pupate in the ground. Numerous trees and shrubs serve as host plants. Especially popular are birch, oak and apple.
The Pale Brindled Beauty is single brooded and a real winter moth. In mild winters the first adults may appear in November or December. The main period of being on the wing for this species is January and February. It is still seen in March and April, but numbers are decreasing quickly in this period. Because of this very curious period of flying about, this species is usually easily identified. The males only fly by night, but aren't very active. During daytime they are regularly found resting on tree trunks, fences and walls. They are easily attracted to light. A typical species of woodlands, parks and gardens. A common species all over Britain, except for Ireland, Scotland and the Hebrides, where it is widespread, but less frequent. A common species over most of Europe as well.
Scientifically often still referred to by its former name Apocheima pilosaria.
The Small Brindled Beauty is a Geometer often resting in a posture reminding you of an Owlet Moth. Despite the rather dull greyish ground colour is is more richly marked than the similar Pale Brindled Beauty. It is also smaller and partly flies a bit later. It has big feathery yellowreddish antennae. Melanistic forms do occur, but these can be told apart from the Pale Brindled Beauty's melanistic forms by the last part of the wing, which is always lighter in colour than the major part of the wing is. All the time we are talking about the males, for the females are wingless and look like big hairy six-legged spiders. The males, reaching a wingspan of some 35 to 37 mm are among the smaller spring time Geometers.
The Caterpillar of the Small Brindled Beauty is greyish or brownish covered in small hairy warts. It feeds from the end of April till the end of June, than goes underground to pupate. Full grown it is some 33 mm long. It is hard to identify, for it is very similar to many other Geometer Worms.
The Small Brindled Beauty is single brooded and on the wing from February to April, usually most numerous in March. During daylight regularly found resting on tree trunks, sometimes in the vicinity of a female. It flies during the hours of darkness, but is easily attracted to light. Common, though sometimes locally, in Southern England and Southern Wales. Northwards found very locally in Cumbria and Yorkshire. Not found in Scotland and Ireland. In other parts of Europe a rather local species as well, but sometimes appearing in great numbers. Rare in Northern Europe.
The Oak Beauty is a robust, hairy Geometer, appearing in early spring and looking like an Owlet Moth very much. Males and females are very different. Males have large, broad wings with banded markings. They may be identified as Geometers, even though they are very variable both in colour and markings. Many animals have wings suffused with dark brown, others are even entirely melanistic. Females have long, slim and very pointed wings and look like anything but a Geometer. Their wings are often dark coloured and only slightly marked, if at all. In the top picture the animal to the left is a male, the one to the right a female. The same female is in the bottom picture. She is full of eggs, hence the fat body. In all other pictures are male animals. Identifying is made easy by the size of the animals (wingspan 51 to 58 mm) and the flying period in early spring.
The eggs of the Oak Beauty hatch in May and the caterpillar feeds till the end of July. It is your typical Geometer Worm. The colour is highly variable: reddish brown, reddish grey or greenish grey. On the back it has two darkbrown bumps. Three more of those are found on the underside of the larva. The head is reddish brown. When it stretches out, it is very similar to a twig. It feeds during the night and sits stretched out during the day between the twigs. The caterpillar isn't very fat, but quite long, for it may reach a length of 56 mm. By the end of July or the beginning of August the caterpillar moves underground to pupate. It is the pupa which overwinters. It will feed on many trees and shrubs, even though it apparently favors oak, alder, beech and birch. In gardens it is sometimes found on roses.
The Oak Beauty is a spring time species, usually flying in March and April. In mild winters regularly on the wing in February. Flies by night only. Males are easily attracted to lights, females are not and actually are rarely seen. Common in woodlands, parklands and sometimes bigger gardens. A widespread, but rather local species in England and Wales. Uncommon in Scotland and Ireland. In other parts of Europe a widespread but often local species. Not to be found in Northern Europe (including Northern Scandinavia and Northern Scotland)
The Peppered Moth usually is a white moth with numerous black dots and patches. But the amount of black is extremely variable and many animals are melanistic, or putting it in simple words: almost entirely black. In some areas and at certain times the black form (called Biston betularia forma carbonaria) are more common than the 'peppered' form. The fat, hairy body sometimes causes problems identifying this species, for it doesn't really look like a typical Geometer. When melanistic animals appear they can easily be mistaken for melanistic Oak Beauties. Luckily these fly earlier and the two species are hardly ever appearing together. The wingspan of the Peppered Moth matches its colours in variability, ranging from 45 to 62 mm!
The caterpillar looks like a twig and is also extremely variable in colour: reddish brown, dark brown, greenish brown or entirely green. Usually there is a dark line running all over the back and there are two bumps on the 8th segment. The head is brown. The caterpillars are active from July to September. They feed by night and sit, stretched out like a twig, motionless during the day. This makes them very hard to find. In autumn they descent from the foodplant to pupate underground. The Peppered Moth overwinters as a pupa. The larvae may be some 6 cm long once fullgrown. It feeds on numerous trees and shrubs. In our garden found on Buddleja.
The Peppered Moth only flies by night, but comes to light readily. There is only one generation a year, but it is on the wing for a long period of time: from April to August. Most numerous in June and July, though. It prefers woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens, including those in towns and cities. Very common in England, Wales and Ireland, widespread but local in Scotland, the Hebrides and Orkney. Also very common, often numerous on the continent.
The theory of melanistic forms appearing in industrial areas derives from this species. The use of coal in the 19th and first half of the 20th century has been offered as an explanation. Nowadays this theory has been abandoned, but you still come across it in many books and on many sites.
It is not difficult to name this moth from just a few pictures. Only very unmarked Mottled Umbers are similar. But they never have the same, warm golden yellow basic colour of the Scarce Umber Moth. Besides: the number of Mottled Umbers on the wing usually is quite low when the Scarce Umber Moth is flying about, for it usually flies earlier. The Scarce Umber Moth is not very variable. All this applies to the males, because the females have very reduced wings and can not fly. These reduced wings make them standing out from most other wingless geometers. The males reach a wingspan of 40 to 44 mm.
The eggs are being laid in autumn, but don't hatch before April next year. Young caterpillars of the Scarce Umber Moth are almost identical to young larvae of the Dotted Border. They are hard to spot greenish caterpillars with some white, greenish, yellowish or greyish lines. The young caterpillars are hard to identify. Older ones show more markings and present you with less problems. The caterpillars reach a length of some 3 cm and are found on numerous broad leaved trees and shrubs, such as Birch and Hazel.
Adults are on the wing October - December, but usually getting scarcer after some frost. The Scarce Umber Moth flies by night only. It is however easily attracted to light. Rests during the day, sometimes very visibly on a fence or wall. A common, but often very local species, but regularly very abundant, throughout Southern Britain, scarcer northwards, but present as north as Orkney. Also a widespread but local species in Ireland and on the continent.
The caterpillar in the pictures could be the Dotted Border's. At this stage it is extremely hard to tell them apart!
Like so many geometers on the wing in winter and in early spring the Spring Usher is extremely variable, at least the male is. It has no use trying to describe him. Look at the various pictures and see for yourself that all specimens are completely different. Even the ground colour varies from white through brown to grey. Luckily it flies when there are not that many species about and that makes identifying him not such a task. It helps knowing it is not a very large species, reaching a wingspan of 31 to 37 mm. The females are completely wingless and look like rather big spiders. You might obtain them by shaking the branches of a tree.
The eggs are deposited in winter, but the caterpillar does not emerge before April or May. They are yellowish white or greyish. On the back are clear V or U markings, with a big black dot below them on either side of the back. The head usually is greyish. The larvae seem to live on oak mainly but are sometimes found on fruit trees, especially apple. In June the larvae pupate.
The main time to see adults is from mid-February to mid-March, even though occasionally they are seen in January or April. It prefers oak on light soil and is not afraid of human activities, being seen regularly in parks, orchards and gardens at night and resting on walls and fences by day. A common species in England and Wales. Local in Southern Scotland, absent in the North. The Spring Usher is not an Irish species. Common, but sometimes local all over Europe, except for northern regions, such as northern Scandinavia.
Usually the Dotted Border is easily identified: a yellowisg redbrown to sometimes greyish moth with a clear band at about 3/4 of the wing and a row of dots near (but not on!) the edge of the wing. Melanism occurs however and blackish specimens are difficult to identify at times. It does look like pale and rather unmarked specimens of the Mottled Umber (the most variable species there is). But look at the dots: the Mottled Umber has the dots on the edge of the wing: they even seem to 'drop off'. Usually the Mottled Umber has stopped flying by the time the Dotted Border appears. The Dotted Border also looks like the Scarce Umber, but the two species never fly together. The Dotted Border is slightly smaller than the Mottled Umber, reaching a wingspan of no more than 36 to 42 mm. But it has rather large wings, making it look rather larger than it actually is. We are talking about the males here, for the females are wingless and so unable to fly.
The eggs are deposited in April and May and quickly hatch. The caterpillars will eat the growing leaves. They'll reach a length of some 3 cm and are extremely variable in colour: yellow, green, brown, red brown or even nearly black. The back is marked in an undescribable way with black markings. It has a brown head. Young instars of this species can not be told apart from young instars of the larva of the Scarce Umber. The caterpillars of both species appear at the same time. The caterpillars of the Dotted Border can be found on almost all shrubs and trees. In June the larvae will leave their host plant and dig a little hole just under the surface of the ground near the base of the tree, where they'll pupate.
The Dotted Border is on the wing from mid-February tot mid-April, but is most numerous in March. It may appear in great numbers, but this is not noticed most of the time, for the males are not attracted to light much. The females often are very active during the night and are capable runners. This is a species of woodlands, hedgerows and bushy places, including parks and gardens. Common all over Europe, including most of the British Isles.
WARNING: The caterpillar depicted here can also be the larva of the Scarce Umber, for it can not be identified from the pictures shown.
The Mottled Umber Moth would have been the most awkward of all Geometers to identify, if it hadn't been flying in a period poor of moths: winter. Well marked animals may be identified with ease: two darkbrown bands running over the wing, often accented by very small black bands and a clear, black dot. Many of them are not that well marked, though. In some cases the bands are hardly visible and so is the dot, if present at all. Most difficult however are fully unmarked moths. They have a brownish ground colour with blackish spickles only. These do look like the Scarce Umber Moth a lot. The Scarce Umber however is goldenbrown, has a somewhat different wing shape and usually flies earlier. The Scarce Umber often shows some of its underwing, and that is something the Mottled Umber rarely ever does. The Mottled Umber has lighter and banded legs, while the legs of the Scarce Umber are unbanded and of the same colour of the wings. The Mottled Umber is not very variable in size: the wingspan runs from some 40 to 44 mm. Like in many other Geometers flying in winter all of this applies to the males only, for the females are wingless.
The eggs, which have been laid in winter, hatch in March. The caterpillar usually is active from then on till the end of May. The larva is variable too, but not as much as the adults are. The green caterpillar in the bottom picture probably is a recently moulded one which still has to grow its colours. For some reason the colouring of the caterpillars always reminds me of the adults. The caterpillar usually attaches a wire to the leaf it is currently sitting on. In case of danger it drops down and dangles at the end of its wire. When the coast is clear it climbs up its thread again. Fullgrown caterpillars use the thread to descent to the soil to pupate in a cocoon underground. This happens by the end of May or the beginning of June. Fullgrown larvae will be some 33 mm in length. The larvae feed on many wild trees and shrubs, including Hazel, Birch and Oak, but also on some cultivated species such as cherry and apple.
Even though most specimens are seen in October and November, the first animals may be on the wing in September, while the last ones may be seen as late as April. The Mottled Umber only flies by night, but is often found resting on trees, fences and walls during daytime. Happily comes to light, sometimes in very great numbers, giving you a good opportunity to study the many variations. In most of Europe one rule applies: wherever there are trees, there are Mottled Umbers. Common all over the British Isles and often abundant, especially in southern parts of England.
The Mottled Umber Moth would have been the most awkward of all Geometers to identify, if it hadn't been flying in a period poor of moths: winter. Well marked animals may be identified with ease: two darkbrown bands running over the wing, often accented by very small black bands and a clear, black dot. Many of them are not that well marked, though. In some cases the bands are hardly visible and so is the dot, if present at all. Most difficult however are fully unmarked moths. They have a brownish ground colour with blackish spickles only. These do look like the Scarce Umber Moth a lot. The Scarce Umber however is goldenbrown, has a somewhat different wing shape and usually flies earlier. The Scarce Umber often shows some of its underwing, and that is something the Mottled Umber rarely ever does. The Mottled Umber has lighter and banded legs, while the legs of the Scarce Umber are unbanded and of the same colour of the wings. The Mottled Umber is not very variable in size: the wingspan runs from some 40 to 44 mm. Like in many other Geometers flying in winter all of this applies to the males only, for the females are wingless.
The eggs, which have been laid in winter, hatch in March. The caterpillar usually is active from then on till the end of May. The larva is variable too, but not as much as the adults are. The green caterpillar in the bottom picture probably is a recently moulded one which still has to grow its colours. For some reason the colouring of the caterpillars always reminds me of the adults. The caterpillar usually attaches a wire to the leaf it is currently sitting on. In case of danger it drops down and dangles at the end of its wire. When the coast is clear it climbs up its thread again. Fullgrown caterpillars use the thread to descent to the soil to pupate in a cocoon underground. This happens by the end of May or the beginning of June. Fullgrown larvae will be some 33 mm in length. The larvae feed on many wild trees and shrubs, including Hazel, Birch and Oak, but also on some cultivated species such as cherry and apple.
Even though most specimens are seen in October and November, the first animals may be on the wing in September, while the last ones may be seen as late as April. The Mottled Umber only flies by night, but is often found resting on trees, fences and walls during daytime. Happily comes to light, sometimes in very great numbers, giving you a good opportunity to study the many variations. In most of Europe one rule applies: wherever there are trees, there are Mottled Umbers. Common all over the British Isles and often abundant, especially in southern parts of England.
It's not very easy to identify the Willow Beauty. It looks a lot like some other beauties and all share one characteristic: the markings on the wing do not offer much for the eye to get a hold of. This doesn't only effect people, but many of their daytime enemies as well. Whatever the background it is sitting on, a beauty is hard to discover. The Willow Beauty has a dark spot near the edge of the forewing, which narrows towards the body and becomes a line. More to the top of the wing is another, smaller line. This brown line is very wavy. Just at twothirds of the wing the two lines merge. If possible also look at the line at the underwing: it runs almost straight from one edge to the other. Alas, there are specimens completely grey or blackish, usually without any markings. These are very hard to identify at times. The legs are banded, like the legs of most other beauties. The wingspan varies a lot and may be anything from 40 to 48 mm.
The eggs hatch in August. The caterpillar is quite dull: uniformly greyish, reddish or yellowish brown. It has some dark markings on the back, which may be in a diamond shape. The head is brown and the caterpillars may reach a length of some 40 mm. The larvae feed in August en September and then hibernate. In spring they'll finish their development en pupate. The pupa hangs from a silk wire from a branch of the foodplant. The foodplants may be birch or hawthorn in nature, but in gardens they include ivy, privet, plum and traveller's joy.
In most of Britain the Willow Beauty is on the wing from mid-June to mid-August. In southern England a second generation may appear, flying about to the end of September. The moth may be seen during the day resting on tree trunks, fences and walls, where it is surprisingly well camouflaged. Both males and females happily come to light and during the day rest in the vicinity of lights that have been on all night. A common species in England, Wales, Ireland and Southern Scotland. In Central and Northern Scotland this is a local species only, getting scarcer to the north. Not found in Orkney, the Hebrides or Shetland.
Our eyes are having difficulties to see the exact pattern of waves and dots on the wings of many of the beauties. This is true for the Pale Oak Beauty as well. The main characteristic is half way on the lower wings: a clear ringlet shape. The upperwing however usually is in the way, so missing this sign is easy. Compared to other beauties the Pale Oak Beauty is often marked more vaguely and at first sight gives you the impression of a large, greyish moth. Looks very much like the Great Oak Beauty, but usually smaller and with sharp edges in the white line near the edge of the wing, which is more wavy and often less prominent in the Great Oak Beauty. Animals found in April, May or even the beginning of June usually are Pale Oak Beauties, for the Great Oak Beauty is on the wing in summer only. The wingspan runs from 45 to 58 mm. Often the animals give the impression of being bigger, because of the broad, large wings.
The eggs are being laid in summer and the caterpillar usually feeds at night. During daytime they assume the 'twig' position and are hard to discover. They really do look like a twig very much: light brown with some lighter speckles and blobs and a bud like swelling just before the center of the body. In autumn the larvae drop to the ground, dig a little hole and pupate inside. Winter is spend in that way. The caterpillar may be found on a great number of broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including hazel, birch, oak, apple. Sometimes even reported from Larch.
The Pale Oak Beauty is on the wing for a long time, especially in southern England where a partial second generation occurs regularly. Usually the first appear by the end of April and the numbers increase to the end of July. Continues to be on the wing in ever decreasing number to the end of August. Flying about by night exclusively, it is visible when resting on tree trunks or fences during the day. It is easily attracted to light, often in great numbers. The Pale Oak Beauty feels at home where ever trees are present in some numbers, including parks and gardens. It is a species of the moderate zone, common in England and parts of Wales, but not in Scotland. A typical species of Central Europe, not to be found in the north nor the Mediterranean.
