Ochraceous Wave
Common NameOchraceous Wave
Scientific NameIdaea ochrata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilySterrhinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Primary Colorsorange
HabitatDry grasslands, heathland, chalk downland, coastal areas
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsthyme, heather, clover, dandelion
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are slender and brownish, feeding on various low-growing plants. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in a cocoon near the ground in spring.
Identification TipsLook for its distinctive uniform ochre-yellow color and small size. The faint, wavy cross-lines, particularly the postmedian line, are key features, and the fringes are the same color as the wings.
Description
A small, delicate moth characterized by its uniform ochre-yellow to orange coloration, with very faint, wavy cross-lines visible on its wings.
