Geometra papilionaria
| Large emerald | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Tribe: | Geometrini |
| Genus: | Geometra |
| Species: | G. papilionaria |
| Binomial name | |
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Geometra papilionaria (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The large emerald, (Geometra papilionaria), is a moth, the type species for the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.
This is a large and attractive species, as the specific name suggests very butterfly like, with a wingspan of 50–65 mm. Newly emerged adults are bright green with darker green and white fascia, though the green colouration fades after a few days.The characteristic fascia take the form of three jagged, broken lines of white spots on the front wings, of which two semicircular rows continue over the hindwings. It flies at night from June to August and is attracted to light.
The larva is brown at first, turning green later, and feeds mainly on birch though it has also been recorded on alder, beech, hazel and rowan. The species overwinters as a larva.
Caterpillar before (left) and after sprouting (right)
Front view of the moth
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Wikipedia