Geometridae

70.282 Early Moth Theria primaria (Haworth, 1809)

Common

Similar species: Sloe Carpet Aleucis distinctata lacks the males feathered antennae, has a less prominent central spot in the forewing and a more jagged outer central cross-line. It also has a row of white spots down the abdomen. The small (around 8mm) flightless female of Early Moth has a pointed abdomen and short, stumpy brown wings with a straight outer edge and a single black bar across them. Other flightless females in this flight season are either small and wingless, have rounded or much larger wings or are much larger moths.

Forewing: 14 to 17mm

Habitats: Open deciduous woodland and its margins, downland scrub, other mature scrub and hedgerows.

Habits: The male flies from dusk and can be searched for on bare twigs of the foodplant along with the wingless female. It comes sparingly to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Midland Hawthorn. It pupates just under the soil surface.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on plum.