70.040 BF173 - Lead Belle - Geometridae - Scotopteryx mucronata

70.040 BF173 - Geometridae - Larentiinae - Scotopteryx mucronata - Lead Belle

Adult Macro: CAT 3 - Difficult to identify/Very rare/Scarce species (includes very scarce adventives/immigrants)/County-level first records - images or specimen may be required -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Macro >> . >> Geometridae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: July Belle

ID pointers: Confusion species is the July Belle and sometimes the two species are indistinguishable. One of the best ID features is the shape and position of the discal spot – small and rounded in the July Belle (luridata) and “Tear Drop” shaped in the Lead Belle (mucronata) and more centrally positioned between the 2nd & 3rd Crosslines. Although this character is not always helpful, it is a good guider, along with flight period. The Zig Zag outermost crossline is also more well defined thann on July Belle. Generally the moth appears more brightly marked than July Belle.

Distribution: (Last record: 31/05/2018 at Fough ) - A resident species, scarce and uncommon in Derbyshire. Last recorded May 2018.

Flight Period: May / June / - On the wing May – June – one generation – can be easily disturbed from food plant

Moth Activity: Diurnal - and is attracted to light

*** Last updated on 6 April 2025 by TD ***

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Wingspan: 15-19mm

Food Plant: Gorse, Broom, Petty Whin and Dyer’s Greenweed

Last Recorded Date: 31/05/2018

Last Recorded Year: 2018

Last Recorded By - John Mortin - iRecord

Last Recorded General Area - Fough