Geometridae

70.039 Oblique Striped Phibalapteryx virgata (Hufnagel, 1767)

Notable B

The female of Oblique Striped has more pointed wings than the male.

Similar species: Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata is superficially similar until put alongside Oblique Striped. Any confusion is perhaps in the common name.

The rare migrant The Many-lined Costaconvexa polygrammata lacks the dark apical streak.

Forewing: 10 to 12mm

Habitats: Short-turfed coastal grassland, sand-dunes, breckland, calcareous downland and grasslands.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day. It flies from sunset and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Lady's Bedstraw and probably other bedstraws, which it will eat in captivity. It pupates in the leaf litter.