Plain Wave - Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland

Idaea straminata (Borkhausen, 1794)

Description: Wingspan 28-33mm.

Similar Species: Adults are similar to the Riband Wave I. aversata but have a silk-like sheen to the wings. The sub-terminal line is distinct and curved towards the costa rather than indented as in the Riband Wave.

Key Identification Features:

Sub-terminal line curved towards the costa
No indent as in the Riband Wave

Sets:

Flight Period: From the beginning of July to mid-August.

Status: Described by Baynes as being local and rare. Recent records indicate that it may be more widespread than initially thought, especially in southern counties where fieldwork has been more intensive. Recorded frequently from the Peatlands Park and Argory, Armagh, Lackan Bog, Down and Correl Glen NNR, Fermanagh.

Ecology: A species associated with a wide variety of habitats especially woodland, heathland and many of the bogs around southern shores of the Lough Neagh basin. The larvae have been reared in captivity on Dandelion Taraxacum officinale and Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare. It overwinters as a larva.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1715 Agassiz number: 70.018

Additional information:

UK Moths account

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=5788

[Home]