Drepanidae: Drepaninae

1651 (ABH65.007) Chinese Character Cilix glaucata, (Scopoli, 1763)

KR07512

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monmouthshire (Whitelye), 31st July 2020. Light trap.
Monmouthshire (Whitelye), 31st July 2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Final instar larva
Final instar larva
 Photo © Barry Dickerson


General Information

This moth has delicate silvery markings on some of the veins and these, supposedly, resemble a character in the Chinese alphabet, hence its vernacular name.

 

The mixture of white with brown markings provides excellent camouflage. When at rest, with its head tucked away under its thorax and its legs well hidden away under its wings, the moth looks just like a bird dropping.

 

The pupa is formed in a cocoon attached to leaves, bark and other plant material.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 10-13mm.
Foodplant(s): Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), pears (Pyrus spp.)
Flying: Two generations, April-June and July-September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Hedgerows, scrub and woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 119 (44.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2023

Recorded date range (Adult): 02 April to 30 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 24 April to 22 August



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Wrinkled
Colours:
Red, brown, grey
No. of Proleg Pairs:
4