Appearance
For a key to the terms used, see :Glossary of entomology terms.The wingspan is 28–32 mm. Forewing grey brown, dusted with dark grey and reddish atoms: inner and outer lines marked by black spots on veins; submarginal line pale, indistinct; upper stigmata dark grey edged with pale and then with rufous; hindwing dull grey. Like ''Orthosia stabilis'', which it resembles in colouration, it varies according to the amount of red shown; — thus ''pallida'' Tutt is a very pale grey form without red, but sometimes slightly ochreous-tinged; — ''pusillus'' Haw.is a darker grey form without red admixture; — ''nanus'' Haw. is like the typical form, reddish grey, but paler; — ''rufa'' Tutt is a rarer, reddish form; — lastly, ''ambigua'' Hbn. represents a dark redbrown or grey- brown insect with the lines and markings well shown.
Behavior
The moth flies in one generation from the end of February to mid-May.Larva yellowish green, sometimes brown; dorsal and subdorsal lines fine, yellowish white;spiracular line broader and yellower; anal segment with a yellow cross bar; spiracles white with black rings.
The larvae feed on various deciduous trees, such as oak and willow. It lives between leaves spun together.
References:
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