Taken at Aston, Oxon., on September 12th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/250th sec at f11)

Description

Family: Geometridae (ABH : 70.049)

Wing span: 26 - 32mm

A grey or greyish-white moth. The central cross-band is blackish in the leading half but usually pale in the trailing half. The forewing also has a blackish base and usually a blackish blotch on the leading edge near the wingtip.

It is found throughout the British Isles.

Habitats include gardens, allotments and rough ground, woodlands and open coastal sites.

It overwinters as a pupa, usually underground. There are two or three overlapping generations from April to October.

Larval foodplants are herbaceous plants of the Cabbage family, including cultivated brassicas.

Adults fly at dusk and come to light.

Earliest UK sighting: 20th April ; Latest UK sighting: 30th September

Sightings