Geometridae

70.294 Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia (Rossi, 1794)

Local

Similar species: Straw Belle Aspitates gilvaria lacks an inner cross-line.

Forewing: 12 to 16mm

Habitats: Coastal downland, sand-dunes, vegetated shingle, upper parts of salt-marsh and beaches, grassy areas inland including those on heathland and golf courses.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed and flies in hot sunshine. It comes sparingly to light and can be found on plant stems after dark.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Common Restharrow, Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Smooth Tare, Hare's-foot Clover, Wild Carrot, Beaked Hawk's-beard, Sea Wormwood, Spanish Catchfly, toadflax, Buck's-horn Plantain and other low growing plants. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon attached to the foodplant or in the leaf litter.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on rock-roses, sorrel, scabious and lavender.