Geometridae: Sterrhinae

1713 (ABH70.016) Riband Wave Idaea aversata, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR08184

f. remutata, Great Staughton
f. remutata, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
f. remutata, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ex. Larva on Japonese Anenome, Great Staughton, June 2011
ex. Larva on Japonese Anenome, Great Staughton, June 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ex. Larva on Japonese Anenome, Great Staughton, June 2011
ex. Larva on Japonese Anenome, Great Staughton, June 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ex. Larva on Japonese Anenome, Great Staughton, June 2011
ex. Larva on Japonese Anenome, Great Staughton, June 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
f. remutata, Hemingford Grey
f. remutata, Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
reared ex. Llanbedr, N Wales, 07-07-2021. Light trap.
reared ex. Llanbedr, N Wales, 07-07-2021. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
on Japanese Anenome, Great Staughton, April 2011
on Japanese Anenome, Great Staughton, April 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
on Japanese Anenome, Great Staughton, April 2011
on Japanese Anenome, Great Staughton, April 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
on Japanese Anenome, Great Staughton, April 2011
on Japanese Anenome, Great Staughton, April 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell


General Information

This species has a long and tapering forewing, sometimes slightly hooked, with the leading edge strongly curved to the tip.

 

The ground-colour is reddish to sandy-brown and the wings are peppered, sometimes heavily, with dark scales. The third cross-line is usually kinked near the leading edge.

 

There are two distinct forms of this species, roughly equal in numbers. One has a dark band across all four wings, whereas the plain f. remutata, only has narrow cross-lines.

 

Pupates in plant debris near or on the ground.

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

Forewing length: 14-16mm.
Foodplant(s): herbaceous plants, bedstraws (Galium spp.), Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), docks (Rumex spp.)
Flying: One/two generations, mid June-mid August and September-October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Most habitats including gardens, hedgerows, woodland, heathland, fens, river valleys.

Regional Information

Recorded in 158 (58.5%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in July 2023

Recorded date range (Adult): 21 May to 12 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 23 April to 12 July

Similar Species
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Plain Wave Idaea straminata


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Wrinkled
Colours:
Brown, grey, black, red
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2