Geometridae: Ennominae

1930 (ABH70.251) Oak Beauty Biston strataria, (Hufnagel, 1767)

KR07685

Great Staughton, March 2012
Great Staughton, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Great Staughton, March 2012
Great Staughton, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, March 2012
Great Staughton, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monks Wood NNR. 19th March 2008. MV trap. Male.
Monks Wood NNR. 19th March 2008. MV trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monks Wood, March 2008
Monks Wood, March 2008
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood (Ovington plot), March 2008.
Monks Wood (Ovington plot), March 2008.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 31st March, 2014, male.
Hemingford Grey, 31st March, 2014, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 31st March 2014, male
Hemingford Grey, 31st March 2014, male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Storrington, West Sussex. 10th March 2018. Female to 20w wemlite.
Storrington, West Sussex. 10th March 2018. Female to 20w wemlite.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Storrington, West Sussex, 10th March 2018. 20w wemlite trap. Male.
Storrington, West Sussex, 10th March 2018. 20w wemlite trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Storrington, West Sussex, 10th March 2018. Light trap.
Storrington, West Sussex, 10th March 2018. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Whitelye, Monmouthshire. 9th March. 2022. Light trap. Male
Whitelye, Monmouthshire. 9th March. 2022. Light trap. Male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 20-03-2025. Males.
Hemingford Grey, 20-03-2025. Males.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex fem to light Monks Wood NNR, march 2000.
ex fem to light Monks Wood NNR, march 2000.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex fem to light Storrington, W Sussex. March 2018.
ex fem to light Storrington, W Sussex. March 2018.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Pupates in loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Male readily comes to light, sometimes in numbers. Female not.
Often found at rest during day

Forewing length: 17-27mm.
Foodplant(s): oaks (Quercus spp.), Hazel (Corylus avellana), Aspen (Populus tremula), Alder (Alnus glutinosa), elms (Ulmus spp.), broadleaved trees
Flying: One generation, late February-April
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Deciduous woodland and suburban habitats.

Regional Information

Recorded in 65 (24.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in April 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 30 January to 13 July

Similar Species
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Peppered Moth Biston betularia


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