Geometridae

70.238 Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia (Hübner, [1788])

Local / suspected Immigrant

Similar species: The resting posture of this moth is with its wings apart almost as wide as Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria . It varies in colour from sandy-brown through orange and in Scotland to a dark red. The Scottish form can look similar to Purple Thorn although not quite as dark and with smaller central wing crescents.

Forewing: 16 to 22mm

Habitats: Open woodland and scrub.

Habits: It comes to light late at night.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Ash, Downy Birch, Silver Birch, Blackthorn, oaks, elms, Dog-rose and other deciduous trees and shrubs. It pupates just below the soil surface.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Grey Alder and cherry.