Geometridae

70.018 Plain Wave Idaea straminata (Borkhausen, 1794)

Local

Similar species: Riband Wave Idaea aversata has an inward kink where the outer cross-line reaches the leading edge and usually has much darker cross-lines.

Forewing: 13 to 15mm

Habitats: Open woodland and heathland scrub and occasionally hedgerows, green lanes and established rough grassland.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The early stages have not been recorded in the wild. In captivity it accepts the leaves of sallows, Knotgrass, Dandelion and other low-growing plants. It pupates in the leaf litter.