Clouded magpie

Abraxas sylvata

''Abraxas sylvata'', the clouded magpie, is a moth of the family Geometridae that was named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1763.
Clouded Magpie This moth feeds on English Elm & Wych Elm.  Saw several specimens in woodland.  Very striking! Abraxas sylvata,Clouded Magpie,Cumbria,Smardale

Appearance

This moth is mostly white with brownish patches across all of the wings. There are small areas of pale gray on the forewings and hindwings. They resemble bird droppings while resting on the upper surface of leaves. The adults fly from late May to early August. They are attracted to light. The wingspan is 38 mm. to 48 mm. The moth is nocturnal and is easy to find during the day. They are easy to find resting during the morning. The moth starts being active at early dusk. The moths eat the plants ''Betula, Corylus, Fagus, Ulmus, Prunus'', and ''Frangula''. ''Abraxas grossulariata'' is similar to this species. In a group of specimens of this species, the largest one is 60 mm. while the smallest one is 31 mm. The moth is more common in Eastern Asia than in Europe. The species is listed as a priority species in the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan.
Abraxas sylvata on forest ground  Abraxas,Abraxas sylvata,Clouded magpie,Geotagged,Iran,Lepidoptera,geometridae,insect,insects,moth

Naming

*''Abraxas sylvata sylvata''
⤷ ''Abraxas sylvata microtate'' Wehrli, 1931
Clouded Magpie Below disused railway line in hazel woodland Abraxas sylvata,Clouded magpie,Cumbria,Moth Week 2020,Smardale

Habitat

The moth was considered rare until the late 1990s in Northern Ireland. The species can be found from Europe to Japan. The moth can be found in forests, thickets, and sometimes parks on various deciduous trees.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyGeometridae
GenusAbraxas
SpeciesA. sylvata
Photographed in
United Kingdom
Iran