Phlogophora meticulosa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 45-52 mm. This is a distinctive species especially at rest when it resembles a withered leaf. Adults show some variation in ground colour. The forewings, which have a strongly scalloped outer margin, range in colour from olive green through to rosy red. There is a darker median band bordered by a paler band extending to the subterminal fascia, which is broader at the costa. There is also a small dark patch at the apex of the forewing. Hindwings pale yellow-white darkening towards the terminal area with darker fringe and veining.

Key Identification Features:

• Heavily scalloped forewings
• Dark median band
• Pale hindwings with small discal spot

Sets:

Flight Period: Late April through to early November; more frequently encountered in the Autumn.

Status: Common and widespread across all counties including Rathlin Island.

Ecology: Adults come frequently to light and to flowers and have been recorded in every month from April to November. The autumn populations would appear to be reinforced with immigrants which accounts for the higher percentage of records during these months. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats. The adults are frequently found by day at rest on fences, walls and low vegetation where their wings are folded in the characteristic curled position. The larvae feed throughout the year on a variety of plants and shrubs, including Bramble Rubus fruticosus, Broom Cytisus scoparius, oak Quercus spp. and birch Betula spp. and many others. It overwinters as a larva.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe from the Azores as far north as Iceland.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2306 Agassiz number: 73.113

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: