Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on June 26th 2020. (1/200th sec at f11. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Geometridae Wing span: 44 - 60mm This moth is unmistakable, with a pointed tail on the hindwing and two dark brown spots at its base. It is pale lemon yellow when fresh, becoming whiter with age. The female is generally larger. It is well distributed in the British Isles, but missing from northern Scotland. Habitats are woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks, gardens and cemeteries. There is one generation, between late June and mid-August. There can be a partial second generation in late September and October. It overwinters as a larva. Larval food-plants include Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Goat Willow, Blackcurrant, Elder, Horse-chestnut, Garden Privet and Ivy. It flies rapidly at dusk and comes to lighted windows soon after dusk. It also comes to light traps. Sightings
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