November Moth

The November Moth (Epirrita dilutata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout Europe (including the British Isles) and the Near East.

The wingspan is 38–44 mm, the forewings being variably marked with alternating pale and dark bands. Melanism is common and in some locations all-dark individuals make up the majority of the population. The species is extremely similar to two of its relatives, Pale November Moth and Autumnal Moth, and they cannot usually be separated without examination of the genitalia. The November Moth flies at night from September to November and is attracted to light and sometimes to nectar-rich flowers.

The larva is green with red markings and feeds on a wide range of trees and shrubs including apple, ash, birch, blackthorn, elm, hawthorn, oak and plum. The species overwinters as an egg.

References

Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)

Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984