70.214 : 1893 : 7542
Geometridae : Ennominae

Tawny-barred Angle

MACARIA liturata (Clerck, 1759)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 28-34mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe east to Japan and the Amur region of NE China-SE Siberia
UK Distribution: Well distributed in Great Britain : Isle of Man-local and infrequent : Ireland-local : Channel Isles-rare
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Phalaena liturata Clerck, 1759
Type Species - Macaria
  • [Phalaena] liturata Clerck, 1759
Type locality -
  • Not given in original publication
Flight period: South-April to July & July to September-bivoltine : Elsewhere-Late April to September(peak July)-univoltine
Habitat: Coniferous woodland : Gardens : anywhere larval food plant grows
Similar Species -
  • Dusky Peacock Macaria signaria Hübner, 1809
Larva: Viewed from side-the larva is green with two strong white lateral lines equi-spaced about the spiracles. Viewed on top-a wide green lateral band runs through the middle of the larva with thin white lateral lines each side of the centre.
Pupa: Pupates on the ground among pine needles or underground
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: The moth is easy to recognise,when settled,with its "Peacock" looking wing shape,typical of the "Macaria" genus, with curvature near the apex and its three dark brownish-black cross-lines,which are sometimes broken and stronger at the costa, and the diagnostic orange adjacent to the subterminal fascia both on forewing and hindwing.

Appearing in most populations in small numbers of the form M.l.nigrofulvata Collins, 1905 which is described as "suffused greyish-brown tone,postmedial line russet-brown".

The moth can be seen during the day near its larval food plant and is attracted to light,being a regular visitor to the moth trap,often in good 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 MACARIA:

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Subspecies:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Macariini
MACARIA Curtis, 1826
Macaria liturata (Clerck, 1759)
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Phalaena liturata (Clerck, 1759)
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= PHALAENA liturata (Clerck, 1759)
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= MACARIA Curtis 1826
= Pygmaena Boisduval 1840
= Semiothisa liturata
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Clerck, C. 1759. Icones insectorum rariorum cum nomibus eorum trivialibus, locique e C. Linnæi. - pp. [1-10], Title Page Tab. 1-16. Holmiæ.  : pl.6 - fig.6
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Not given in original publication
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M.l.f.nigrofulvata Collins, 1905-suffused greyish-brown tone,postmedial line russet-brown
M.l.f.lineata Kempke, 1953-cross lines distinct
M.l.f.brunnescens Lempke, 1970-submarginal line clear and yellowish,forewing grey-brown-markings shaded out
M.l.f.marginata Lempke, 1970-all wings distal area dark smokey grey
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M.l.pressaria Christoph, 1893-from Europe to Amur region of NE China-SE Siberia
M.l.hispanica Herbulot, 1957-Spain,wing background yellower
M.l.deceptans Staudinger, 1901-northwards  from Spain to Finland,Denmark and east to Greece.