Brimstone Moth

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.

Related Topics:
Moth - Geometridae - Palearctic - Near East

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This species is unmistakeable within its range, with bright yellow wings marked with small brown patches along the costa of the forewing and a small brown-edged white stigma, also on the forewing. The wingspan is 33-46 mm. The species has a complex ecology: sometimes one brood is produced each year but sometimes three broods are produced over a two-year period, with the result that adults can be seen on the wing at any time from April to October*. This moth sometimes flies during the day but mainly at night and is attracted to light.

Related Topics:
Costa - Stigma - Wingspan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The larva is brown or green with a "horn" on its back and feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs. Recorded food plants include apple, birch, blackthorn, currant, hawthorn, Prunus, rowan, serviceberry and willow. The species, due to its complex life cycle, overwinters either as a larva or a pupa.

Related Topics:
Larva - Tree - Shrub - Apple - Birch - Blackthorn - Currant - Hawthorn - Prunus - Rowan - Serviceberry - Willow - Pupa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
 
Brimstone Moth: External links ►