70.273 : 1950 : 7800
Geometridae : Ennominae

Brindled White-spot

PARECTROPIS similaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
Picture
Kind permission - © Tim Norriss
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 33 - 39mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe - less Mediterranean Islands,Channel Islands,Croatia,Estonia,Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Luxembourg,
Norway,N,NW & S Russia : to Japan,from Kuril Islands to Sakhalin
UK Distribution: S & SE England - quite well distributed and locally frequent : W Midlands,C England - more local : Wales - scattered records
UK Conservation Status -
  • Local = 101 - 300  10km squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Phalaena similaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
Type Species - Parectropis
  • Geometra extersaria Hübner, 1799
Type Locality -
  • Europe
Flight Period: South - early May - July : Elsewhere - late May - June
Habitat: Broadleaved Woodland : Gardens
Similar Species -
  • Engrailed - Ectropis crepuscularia - ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
  • Brussels Lace - Cleorodes lichenaria - (Hufnagel, 1767)
Larva: The 40mm final instar larva is green or brownish green with reddish brown raised humps at fourth and eighth segments and variable ammounts of reddish brown markings with white spots over the body. Spiracles are white ringed with black.
Pupa: Pupate in cocoon below the soil
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: Forewings are covered with extensive amounts of dark brown markings against the background which is straw yellow to white.The patch located on the whitish subterminal line is diagnostic for this moth and clearly separates it from the similar species which are also larger.
There is a dark cross line, centrally positioned between the thinner median lines, which is most obvious towards the costa where it is thickest.
The forewing is gently curved before curving sharply at the apex which continues to a curved termex.

The moth is attracted to light.
Photo Gallery
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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 PARECTROPIS:

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Forms:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Boarmiini
PARECTROPIS Sato, 1980
Parectropis similaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
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Geometra extersaria Hübner, 1799
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PHALAENA similaria (Hufnagel, 1767)
= extersaria Hübner, 1799
= luridata Borkhausen, 1794
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Berlin. Magazin. 4 (6) : : Title Page : p.512 - n.16
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Europe
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P.s.f.pallida Lempke, 1953 - suffused weakly with dark colour,tined paler,strong cross lines
P.s.f.deumbrata Lempke, 1953 - median shade missing
P.s.f.obsoleta Lempke, 1953 - cross lines weak,background normal
P.s.f.intermedia Rebel, 1930 - background blackish,markings clear
P.s.f.cornelseni Hoffmann, 1908 - background blackish,only submarginal line, spot and part of postmedial line stand out in whitish tone