Status
Very scarce in recent years
Hedgerows, scrub, gardens.
Females larger with a wingspan of up to 90mm or more.
Resembles dried oak leaves when at rest.
The larvae feed on a number of shrubs such as Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Overwinters as a small larva, best looked for in April and May when the large full grown caterpillars can be found by day, often low on a main stem of the foodplant.
Pupates in a tough cocoon near to the ground.Recorded in 36 (49%) of 74 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1873.
Last Recorded in 2023. |