70.092 BF1757 - The Spinach - Geometridae - Eulithis mellinata

70.092 BF1757 - Geometridae - Larentiinae - Eulithis mellinata - The Spinach

- Generally Common / Widespread

Taxonomy: Macro >> Geometridae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.

ID pointers: Very distinctive as the moth has a unique resting posture. The ground colour is a straw yellow with a prominent cross-band that has an obvious “tooth-like” projection. The fringes to the forewing are also chequered. These features help to distinguish it from Barred Straw.

Distribution: A resident species, that is widely distributed but generally uncommon in Derbyshire. It is mainly found in the lowland areas of the county. Most common in suburban gardens containing red & blackcurrants, the larval food plants.

Flight Period: June / July / August / - On the wing between June – August

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Wingspan: 27-30mm
Forewing: 16-18mm

Food Plant: Redcurrant and Blackcurrant.

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne. – Images by Tony Davison ©

The Spinach – Eulithis mellinata