Geometridae

70.283 Light Emerald Campaea margaritaria (Linnaeus, 1761)

Common

Similar species: The green form of Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria f. prasina is an orange-green rather than blue-green, lacks the orange dash in the forewing tip, the inner central cross-line trails inwards towards the trailing edge, there is a sharp bend in the outer central cross-line and it does not have pointed hindwings. Small Emerald Hemistola chrysoprasaria has more rounded forewings, a curved inner cross-line and lacks the orange dash in the tip of the forewing.

Forewing: 18 to 26mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, parkland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed from the underside of leaves during the day. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Downy Birch, Silver Birch, Pedunculate Oak, Hawthorn, Midland Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Beech, elms, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut and other deciduous trees.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Hornbeam, cherry and Goat Willow.