70.121 : 1789 : 8423
Geometridae : Larentiinae

Scallop Shell

HYDRIA undulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 32-40mm
Worldwide Distribution: N America : Europe - less (Portugal,Croatia,Greece,S Russia & most Mediterranean Islands) eastwards  to Japan & Korea
UK Distribution: Fairly well distributed in south-west & southern England & western Wales. Local and thinly distributed in rest of England,Ireland & southern Scotland. Isle of Man/Jersey - local & infrequent
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = > 300 10km squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Phalaena undulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Type Species - Hydria
  • Phalaena undulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Type Locality -
  • Europe?
Flight Period: South - late May - mid August : Elsewhere - June - July
Habitat: Damp Woodland : Scrub
Similar Species -
  • None
Larva: The 20mm final instar larva has two light brown subdorsal bands edged with white line and thin dorsal line. The colour above the spiracles is greenish brown and below cream coloured.The spiracles are cream coloured ringed with brown and the head is brown.
Pupa: Pupates in light soil or plant litter
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: This moth is easily recognised by the numerous tightly packed dark brown wavy cross lines on all wings,some against a white or light brown background. The lines are fairly constant although species with fused cross lines or darker cross lines do occur.

The moth is occasionally seen feeding on flowers and is attracted to light coming to the moth trap in small numbers.

Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website where further information like photos,physical characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
  • Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
Larval Food Plants
Taxonomy
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Type Species - HYDRA:

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Literary Ref:

Type Locality:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Rheumapterini
HYDRIA Hübner,1822
Hydria undulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Phalaena undulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
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PHALAENA undulata (Linnaeus,1758)
= Rheumaptera undulata Linnaeus, 1758
= undularia Boisduval, 1840
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Syst. Nat. (Edn 10) 1 : Title page : p.524 - n.164
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Europe?