Pale November Moth

The Pale November Moth (Epirrita christyi) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a fairly common species in Europe including the British Isles.

This species is almost identical to its relatives the November Moth and Autumnal Moth and it is almost impossible to identify them without examination of the genitalia. In general, although melanism occurs regularly in this species it is less prevalent than in November Moth. The Pale November Moth flies at night from September to November and is attracted to light.

The larva feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs including beech, blackthorn, elm, hawthorn, hazel, maple and oak. 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