Geometridae: Ennominae

1913 (ABH70.234) Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR07634

 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Canary-shouldered Thorn
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Whitelye
Whitelye
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, 26th July 2013
Hemingford Grey, 26th July 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Llanbedr, Harlech, N Wales. 30th Aug. 2013
near Llanbedr, Harlech, N Wales. 30th Aug. 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Llanbedr, Harlech, N Wales. 30th Aug. 2013
near Llanbedr, Harlech, N Wales. 30th Aug. 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Pupates in leaf litter or attached to plants.

Overwinters as Overwinters as an egg.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 16-20mm.
Foodplant(s): Downy Birch (Betula pubescens), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Alder (Alnus glutinosa), lime (Tilia spp.), elms (Ulmus spp.), Goat Willow (Salix caprea)
Flying: One generation, late July-mid October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Woodland, scrub.

Regional Information

Recorded in 87 (32.2%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 22 June to 11 October

Similar Species
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, July 2008
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, July 2008
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
September Thorn Ennomos erosaria


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
With lumps, bumps or horn(s)
Colours:
Brown, red
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2