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.

Hedgerows, scrub and woodland.

Recorded in 116 (43%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2021

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

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