Geometridae: Ennominae

1937 (ABH70.258) Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria, ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

KR07754

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
f. rebeli
f. rebeli
 Photo © Peter Bissell
f. perfumaria
f. perfumaria
 Photo © David Griffiths
f. rebeli, Great Staughton, June 2012
f. rebeli, Great Staughton, June 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hillesden. Bucks
Hillesden. Bucks
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, 26th July 2013
Hemingford Grey, 26th July 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
nr. Llanbedr, NW Wales. 4th July 2021. Light trap.
nr. Llanbedr, NW Wales. 4th July 2021. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey. 18-05-2020. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey. 18-05-2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 8th March 2014
Hemingford Grey, 8th March 2014
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species is quite variable. There is a greyish form, f. perfumaria, as well as an almost black melanic form, f. rebeli.

 

Pupates on the food plant or in leaf litter.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.
Often found at rest during day

Forewing length: 17-24mm.
Foodplant(s): hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), plums (Prunus spp.), privets (Ligustrum spp.), birches (Betula spp.), Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus), honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), Traveller's-joy (Clematis vitalba), Ivy (Hedera helix), broadleaved trees, broadleaved shrubs
Flying: One/two generations, early June-August and late August-early October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 154 (57%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in November 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 15 April to 22 November

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 08 March to 19 September

Similar Species
East Chevington, Northumberland
East Chevington, Northumberland
 Photo © Ian Fisher
Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata
Great Staughton, June 2011
Great Staughton, June 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis punctinalis


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Wrinkled
Colours:
Grey, green, yellow, brown, black
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2