Riband Wave | Geometridae |
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Idaea aversata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Description: Wingspan 30-35mm. Adults are generally a reddish or greyish colour with three distinctive median cross lines on the forewings and two on the hindwings. The banded form has a well-defined darkish broad band across all wings.
Similar Species: Distinguished from the Plain Wave I. Straminata by the absence of the discal spots, its larger size and the shape of the sub-terminal line which is straight rather than indented.
Key Identification Features:
Sets: | ![]() |
Flight Period: From the beginning of June to the end of August.
Status: Widespread and commonly recorded in southern counties. Less frequent further north.
Ecology: Commonly encountered in a wide variety of habitats. Adults appear frequently at light in moderate numbers. The larvae can be found from September to May on a variety of low-growing plants such as bedstraw Galium spp. and Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare. It overwinters as a larva.
Bradley & Fletcher number: 1713 Agassiz number: 70.016
Additional information:
Caterpillar: | ![]() |
Thompson, R. S. & Nelson, B., 2003 (Oct 2). [In] The Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/lepidoptera/species.asp?item=5786 |
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