Sulphur Wave
Common NameSulphur Wave
Scientific NameIdaea flaveolaria
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilySterrhinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsyellow, orange, black
HabitatDamp meadows, fens, marshes, riverbanks
Geographic RangeCentral and Southern Europe, extending eastwards into parts of Asia
Host PlantsGalium, Taraxacum, Plantago
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe species is typically univoltine or bivoltine. Larvae are slender 'looper' caterpillars that feed on low-growing herbaceous plants and overwinter as larvae before pupating in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsKey identification features include its uniform sulfur-yellow to orange-yellow coloration, small size, and the prominent dark fringe along the wing edges, which helps distinguish it from similar *Idaea* species.
Description
A small, delicate moth with bright sulfur-yellow to orange-yellow wings, characterized by a distinctive dark, almost black, fringe along the wing margins. The wings may have faint darker cross-lines or scattered dark scales.
