Welsh Wave Moth
Common NameWelsh Wave Moth
Scientific NameVenusia cambrica
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black
HabitatWoodlands (especially birch and alder), moorland, fens, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope (including Britain and Ireland), North America (Canada, northern US)
Host Plantsbirch, alder
Flight PeriodMay to August (sometimes a partial second brood in September)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe moth undergoes complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid on host plants, larvae (caterpillars) feed on birch and alder leaves, and the species typically overwinters as a pupa.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its intricate, wavy dark lines on a pale grey-brown background, which provides excellent camouflage against tree bark or lichen. The overall pattern is quite distinctive among similar geometrid moths.
Description
A small, cryptically patterned moth with mottled grey and brown wings, featuring several distinct, wavy, dark brown to black transverse lines across both forewings and hindwings.
