Pebble Prominent
Common NamePebble Prominent
Scientific NameNotodonta ziczac
FamilyNotodontidae
SubfamilyNotodontinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, reddish-brown
HabitatWoodlands, hedgerows, gardens, riverbanks, and other areas with host trees.
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Host Plantswillow, poplar, birch, alder, oak
Flight PeriodApril to June and July to September (two generations)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plant leaves. Larvae are highly distinctive, often green or brown with humps and a raised tail, mimicking twigs or leaf edges. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic 'pebble' mark on the forewing, the prominent tuft on the thorax, and its typical resting posture with wings folded tent-like and abdomen slightly raised. The wavy, dark lines on the forewing are also distinctive.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled brown and grey forewings, featuring a distinctive raised 'pebble' or 'ziczac' mark near the trailing edge. Its hairy body and prominent thoracic tuft contribute to its cryptic appearance.
