Geometridae: Ennominae

1917 (ABH70.237) Early Thorn Selenia dentaria, (Fabricius, 1775)

KR07641

Second generation, Great Staughton
Second generation, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Second generation, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
First generation, Great Staughton
First generation, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
First generation, Great Staughton
First generation, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Female. Monks Wood, 13th April 2005.
Female. Monks Wood, 13th April 2005.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 02-04-2008. Male
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, 02-04-2008. Male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Keyworth, nr. Nottongham, 11-04-2022. Male.
Keyworth, nr. Nottongham, 11-04-2022. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
2nd generation. Hemingford Grey, 26th July 2013. Male.
2nd generation. Hemingford Grey, 26th July 2013. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex larva Monks Wood NNR. Em June 2007. 2nd brood make.
ex larva Monks Wood NNR. Em June 2007. 2nd brood make.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. Female, summer generation.
ex female Storrington, Sussex, April 2019. Female, summer generation.
 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
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species has a characteristic resting position with its wings held together above the body and this distinguishes it from all of the other British thorn species.

 

Pupates between spun leaves or in leaf litter.

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

Forewing length: 14-23mm.
Foodplant(s): Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Hazel (Corylus avellana), birches (Betula spp.), Alder (Alnus glutinosa), sallows (Salix spp.), honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), broadleaved plants
Flying: Two generations, mid February-May and July-September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 129 (47.8%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in April 2022

Recorded date range (Adult): 27 February to 18 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 29 August to 29 August



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