Lesser brown evening moth
Common NameLesser brown evening moth
Scientific NameIdaea dimidiata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilySterrhinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, dark brown
HabitatWoodlands, gardens, hedgerows, open grassy areas
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia; introduced to North America
Host Plantsdandelion, knotgrass, bedstraw, various low-growing herbaceous plants (often dead leaves)
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are slender and feed on a variety of low-growing herbaceous plants, often preferring dead or decaying leaves. They typically overwinter as larvae.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its small size, overall mottled brown appearance with wavy transverse lines, and particularly the small, dark discal spot on each forewing, combined with the scalloped wing edges.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with mottled brown and tan wings featuring intricate wavy lines and small, dark discal spots on the forewings. The wing margins are distinctly scalloped.
