Feathered Beauty
Common NameFeathered Beauty
Scientific NamePterapherapteryx sexalata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, white
HabitatWoodlands, hedgerows, gardens, riverbanks
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantswillow, sallow, poplar
Flight PeriodMay to August (bivoltine)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with pale lines, feeding on the leaves of willow and sallow. They pupate in a cocoon among leaf litter or in the soil, with two generations per year.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive mottled brown and white cryptic pattern on the wings, particularly the wavy lines and a darker central band. The feathered antennae, especially prominent in males, are a key identifying feature.
Description
A small, cryptically patterned moth with mottled brown, grey, and white wings, often featuring darker bands and wavy lines. Males are characterized by their distinctly feathered antennae.
