Idaea macrospila
Common NameIdaea macrospila
Scientific NameIdaea macrospila
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilySterrhinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Primary Colorspale brown, dark brown, black, white
HabitatDry grasslands, heathlands, sandy areas, Mediterranean scrub
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe, North Africa, Middle East
Host Plantslow-growing herbaceous plants, withered leaves
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are slender and twig-like, feeding on low-growing plants, and typically overwinter before pupating.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its small size, pale ground color, and particularly large, irregular dark brown to blackish blotches on both forewings and hindwings, which often have lighter outlines or internal markings.
Description
A small moth with a pale yellowish-brown ground color, heavily marked with large, irregular dark brown to blackish patches, giving it a mottled and cryptic appearance. The fringes are often subtly checkered.
