Odontopera bidentata (Clerck, 1759)

Description: Wingspan 46-50mm. The adults are variable with different colour forms, ranging from light to dark brown, which occur throughout most of its range. Adults have two cross-lines with a small discal spot on the forewing. Hindwings paler with a central discal spot.

Key Identification Features:

• Dark and pale colour forms
• Small discal spot on all wings
• Two wavy crosslines on forewings; hindwings paler with single crossline

Sets:

Flight Period: From mid-April to late July, however some individuals are occasionally found in August and September.

Status: Widely distributed and commonly encountered in southern counties but scarcer further north, although there are recent records for both Antrim and Londonderry. It has also been recorded from Rathlin Island in the 1980s, which may indicate a wider distribution in northern regions than the few records suggest.

Ecology: Although its name suggests it is exclusively associated with Hazel Corylus avellana, the larvae are polyphagous on a wide variety of trees and shrubs. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats including woodlands, heaths, bogs and frequently gardens. It is attracted to light in moderate numbers and may occasionally be found during the day by beating the foliage of its foodplants. The larvae can be found feeding in summer on a wide variety of trees and shrubs such as oak Quercus spp., birch Betula spp, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and pine. It overwinters in the egg stage.

World Distribution: Across Europe to eastern Siberia.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1920 Agassiz number: 70.240

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: