Regulated Wave
Common NameRegulated Wave
Scientific NameMacaria regulata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyEnnominae
Wingspan (mm)22
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorspale brown, grey, dark brown
HabitatWoodlands, forests, heathlands, and areas with host trees
Geographic RangeEurope, Siberia, Mongolia
Host Plantsbirch (Betula), alder (Alnus), willow (Salix), poplar (Populus)
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are 'looper' caterpillars, typically feeding on deciduous trees and shrubs. They pupate in the soil or leaf litter, and the species often has two generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the characteristic scalloped wing margins, the overall pale, mottled appearance, and the specific arrangement of dark spots and lines on the forewings, which provide excellent camouflage.
Description
This small, cryptically patterned moth has pale brown to greyish-white wings with intricate darker brown and black markings, including prominent dark patches on the forewings and distinctively scalloped wing margins.
