The 'November Moth' ''(Epirrita dilutata)'' is a
moth of the family
Geometridae. It is found throughout
Europe (including the
British Isles) and the
Near East.
The
wingspan is 38-44 mm, the forewings being variably marked with alternating pale and dark bands.
Melanism is common and in some locations all-dark individuals make up the majority of the population. The species is extremely similar to two of its relatives,
Pale November Moth and
Autumnal Moth, and they cannot usually be separated without examination of the
genitalia. The November Moth flies at night from September to November and is attracted to light and sometimes to
nectar-rich
flowers.
The
larva is green with red markings and feeds on a wide range of
trees and
shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as an
egg.
#''The flight season refers to the
British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.''
Recorded food plants
★ ''Acer'' -
Maple
★ ''Betula'' -
Birch
★ ''Corylus'' -
Hazel
★ ''Crataegus'' -
Hawthorn
★ ''Fraxinus'' -
Ash
★ ''
Malus'' - Apple
★ ''
Prunus''
★ ''Quercus'' -
Oak
★ ''Ulmus'' -
Elm
References
'Chinery, Michael' ''Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe'' 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
'Skinner, Bernard' ''
Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles'' 1984