Black Wave
Common NameBlack Wave
Scientific NameIdaea aversata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilySterrhinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorscream, pale brown, dark brown
HabitatGardens, woodlands, grasslands, hedgerows
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsdandelion, knotgrass, bedstraw, primrose
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are slender and brownish, feeding on various low-growing plants. They typically overwinter as larvae and pupate in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsLook for the pale, speckled appearance and faint wavy lines. While the typical form has a distinct dark central band, the unbanded form (ab. remutata), which this image resembles, is also common and can be identified by the overall pattern and checkered fringes, distinguishing it from similar 'wave' species.
Description
A small, delicate moth with a pale creamy-white to light brown ground color, densely speckled with dark brown scales, and often featuring faint, wavy transverse lines across both forewings and hindwings. The wing margins have a checkered pattern.
