Isturgia limbaria explained

Isturgia limbaria, the frosted yellow, is a moth of the family Geometridae.

Distribution

This species can be found in parts of Central and Southern Europe. It is extinct in Britain.[1] [2]

Habitat

These moths inhabit heathers, edge of the forests and scrubby areas.[3]

Description

Isturgia limbaria has a wingspan of 26-. Forewings can reach a length of 13-.[3] The male has feathered antennae, while those of the females are filiform. The upperside of the wings is yellow or orange yellow with a chocolate brown margin, less evident in the females. The underside of the hindwings is pale yellowish or greyish and strongly mottled, with visible longitudinal white stripes.

Biology

These day-flying moths fly from mid April to mid August in one or two generation. The larvae feed on broom. They over-winter as a pupa.[4]

  1. The flight season refers to The Netherlands and Belgium. This may vary in other parts of the range.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://fauna.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de/full_results.php?id=446269 Fauna europaea
  2. http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/geometroidea/geometridae/ennominae/isturgia/#limbaria Funet
  3. http://www.suffolkmoths.org.uk/cgi-bin/mos/account.cgi?code=1899 Suffolh Moths
  4. http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1899.php Hants Moths