Cistus Forester (Adscita geryon) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Male. Taken at Rodborough Common, Gloucs, on May 9th 2022. (© David Hastings) (1/1000th sec at f9) DescriptionFamily: Zygaenidae (ABH : 54.003) Wing span: M: 20 - 24mm; F: 18 - 20mm The Cistus Forester is distinctly smaller than the other foresters, but is otherwise similar to them. It is patchily distributed in England, essentially following calcareous strata. It is also found on the Great Orme in north Wales. It habitat is chalk and limestone grassland, favouring warm, flower-rich south-facing slopes. it overwinters as a larva, low down among the sward. It pupates in a cocoon near the ground. Adults are on the wing from mid-May to early August. The larval foodplant is Common Rock-rose. The adults visit flowers such as Kidney-vetch, Wild Thyme and Common Birds-foot Trefoil. Earliest UK sighting: 9th May ; Latest UK sighting: 1st June Sightings
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