Taken at Hackpen Hill, Oxon., on July 7th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f/11)

Description

Family: Geometridae (ABH : 70.039)

Wing span: 20 - 24mm

The forewing is grey or grey-brown, and is rather pointed (sharply in the female). The crossbands are fairly straight to the leading edge. There is usually a short, dark, narrow diagonal dash at the wingtip.

This is a nationally scarce species. It is fairly common on breckland in E Anglia, and is also found on chalk downland in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight. There are also colonies in Somerset, Carmarthenshire and Cumbria.

It is found on calcareous grassland, including downland, breckland and sand-dunes.

There are two generations per year, in May-June and August. It over-winters as a pupa.

Larvae feed on Lady's Bedstraw, and will accept other bedstraws in captivity.

It is often disturbed from vegetation during the day.

Earliest UK sighting: 3rd May ; Latest UK sighting: 7th July

Sightings