(Redirected from 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.
This species is unmistakable 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.
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.
Footnotes
# ''The flight season refers to the
British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.''
References
★ 'Chinery, Michael' ''Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe'' 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
★ 'Skinner, Bernard' ''Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles'' 1984
External links
★
Brimstone Moth at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera pages