Scalloped oak

The scalloped oak (Crocallis elinguaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Scalloped oak
Dorsal view
Lateral view
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Crocallis
Species:
C. elinguaria
Binomial name
Crocallis elinguaria

Distribution

This common species can be found from Europe to eastern Siberia.[1]

Habitat

This species inhabits a wide range of habitats, including mixed and deciduous forests, bushes, heaths, scrub, hedgerows, bogs, parks and gardens.[1][2]

Description

The wingspan is 32–46 mm. This is a distinctive species, usually with yellow-tan forewings with a broad orange-brown band and a pointed apex. Females are usually paler. There can be considerable variation, with the central band sometimes the same colour as the rest of the forewing, ranging from pale yellow to orange brown. Melanic forms are also known. There is always a blackish discal spot on the forewing in middle of band towards the costa. The thorax is hairy.[1] The hindwings are plain whitish. This species is rather similar to Crocallis albarracina.

Biology

It is a univoltine species. The adults fly at night from July to September[1][2] and are attracted to light, sometimes in large numbers. The larva, grey and twig like, feeds on various trees and shrubs (see list below) and is omnivorous and cannibalistic feeding also on smaller larvae. The species overwinters as an egg.

  1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

Recorded food plants
Larva

Recorded host plants include:[3]

Bibliography
  • 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

References
  1. Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland
  2. Nature Spot
  3. Savela, Markku. "Crocallis elinguaria (Linnaeus, 1758)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
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