Taken at Shilton, Oxon., on July 13th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/250th sec at f/11)

Description

Family: Notodontidae (ABH : 71.021)

Wing span: 34 - 44mm

The rather uniform warm brown ground colour of the fore-wing, the scalloped outer edge and the pointed tip are diagnostic. The trailing edge has distinct dark scale tuft, and there is a large, forward-pointing quiff-like crest on the thorax.

It can be found throughout the British Isles.

Habitats are woodland and scrub in most situations.

There are two generations in the southern half of Britain, late April to June and August to early September. The pupa is the over-wintering stage.

Larvae feed on a wide range of broad-leaved trees, including birches, Hazel, Alder, Aspen, sallows, hawthorns and Rowan.

It comes to light, usually in small numbers.

Earliest UK sighting: 13th July

Sightings