Geometridae: Ennominae

1663 (ABH70.245) March Moth Alsophila aescularia, ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

KR07953

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
Great Staughton, March 2012
Great Staughton, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 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, 25th March 2021. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 25th March 2021. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

The wingless females can be found climbing tree trunks at night.

 

Pupates in soil below the food plant.

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

Forewing length: 16-19mm.
Foodplant(s): oaks (Quercus spp.), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris), willows (Salix spp.), Field Maple (Acer campestre), birches (Betula spp.), broadleaved trees, broadleaved shrubs
Flying: One generation, February-April
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Open woodland and urban areas where the food plant is present.

Regional Information

Recorded in 82 (30.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in March 2024

Recorded date range (Adult): 22 January to 07 May

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 16 May to 11 June

Similar Species
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
 Photo © Martin Lovell
Spring Usher Agriopis leucophaearia


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, white, yellow
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2