Pencilled Wave
Common NamePencilled Wave
Scientific NameIdaea trigeminata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilySterrhinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Primary Colorsgrey-brown, brown
HabitatWoodlands, heathlands, gardens, waste ground
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, North Africa
Host Plantsdandelion, knotgrass, plantain, chickweed
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are slender and twig-like, overwintering before pupating in spring. They feed on various low-growing herbaceous plants.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size (18-22mm wingspan), pale greyish-brown ground colour, and the distinctive wavy dark lines combined with small, dark discal spots on both sets of wings.
Description
A small, pale greyish-brown moth with several faint, wavy dark brown transverse lines across its wings and small, dark discal spots on both forewings and hindwings.
