Family Geometridae » Subfamily Ennominae » Ourapteryx sambucaria (Linnaeus, 1758) 70.243 (BF1922)
Wingspan 40-50 mm. One would be forgiven for thinking this is a butterfly. This is a large pale lemon moth with distinctive pointed hindwings with two reddish-brown spots on the bases. There are darker cross-lines on the forewings and hindwings. The colours fade as it gets older and it becomes whiter. The larva feeds on various broadleaved trees and shrubs. The adult flies June to mid-August. It is attracted to light, and is found in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens. A fairly common and widespread species.
Attracted to moth trap light, back garden, South Staffordshire. Photos © Peter Hillman.
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