Geometridae: Ennominae

1919 (ABH70.239) Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria, (Hufnagel, 1767)

KR07643

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
Whitelye Common, Gwent
Whitelye Common, Gwent
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monks Wood, July 2008. Summer generation
Monks Wood, July 2008. Summer generation
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
North Wales, July 2012
North Wales, July 2012
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey 20th April 2014, MV trap. Male
Hemingford Grey 20th April 2014, MV trap. Male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey 20th April 2014, MV trap. Male
Hemingford Grey 20th April 2014, MV trap. Male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 17-04-2025. Light trap. Male.
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 17-04-2025. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 17-04-2025. Light trap. Male.
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 17-04-2025. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 17-04-2025. Light trap. Male.
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 17-04-2025. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. Summer generation.
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. Summer generation.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Storrington, Sussex. 02-04-2018. Light trap.
Storrington, Sussex. 02-04-2018. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. 4th instar.
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. 4th instar.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. 4th instar.
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. 4th instar.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. Final instar.
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. Final instar.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Pupates in loose soil.

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

Forewing length: 17-23mm.
Foodplant(s): Hazel (Corylus avellana), birches (Betula spp.), Alder (Alnus glutinosa), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), oaks (Quercus spp.), broadleaved trees
Flying: Two/three generations, April-May, July-August and late September-October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Woodland, heathland, scrub and fens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 93 (34.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 21 March to 22 September

Similar Species
Coed y Llechau Llanbedr
Coed y Llechau Llanbedr
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia


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