Taken at Aston, Oxon., on July 21st 2026. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R6+RF100, f/9, 1/250th, ISO 4000, 100mm)

Description

Family: Geometridae (ABH : 70.029)

Wing span: 30 - 36mm

This moth has a virtually straight diagonal pink line running from fore-wing tip to trailing edge and across the hind-wing, and bright pink fringes. These features are diagnostic.

It is common and well distributed in England and Wales, but is mostly absent from Scotland and Ireland.

Its main habitat is damp places, with rank, herb-rich vegetation.

There are usually two generations per year, occasionally a partial third in the south. These are May to late June, early July to mid-September, and mid-September to November. The larva is the over-wintering stage.

Larvae feed on Docks, Common Orache, Common Sorrel and Knotgrass.

It is often seen on, or disturbed from, low vegetation during the day.

Earliest UK sighting: 24th May ; Latest UK sighting: 19th August

Sightings