Geometridae

70.216 Netted Mountain Moth Macaria carbonaria (Clerck, 1759)

RDB

Similar species: Common Heath Ematurga atomaria is larger (12 to 15mm) and has the central bands on the forewing converging at the trailing edge. The male has much broader antennae.

Forewing: 10 to 11mm

Habitats: Mountain moorland and other highland moorland.

Habits: The moth flies in calm sunny weather and nectars at the flowers of its foodplant and other moorland species. In cooler windy weather it makes low, short 'hopping' flights just above the vegetation.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the young shoots of Bearberry. It pupates in a cocoon spun amongst the leaf litter or lichens and mosses on the ground.