Selenia tetralunaria ♂ △

The Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a species of northern and central Europe. It has a scattered distribution in Britain but is absent from Ireland.

This species is dark purplish-brown, paler towards the termen, with a dark spot at the apex of the forewing. Both wings are marked with a comma-shaped white mark. The margins of the wings are angular, giving the species a distinctive shape. Two broods are produced each year and they differ considerably in size and colour. Adults of the spring brood, which fly in April and May, have a wingspan of 46–52 mm. Moths of the summer brood, flying in July and August,^[1] are smaller (wingspan 44–46 mm) and darker. The species flies at night and is attracted to light.

The caterpillar feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as a pupa.

Notes

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

Recorded food plants

• Alnus – Alder
• Betula – Birch
• Fraxinus – European Ash
• Malus – Apple
• Populus – Black Poplar
• Prunus
• Pyrus – Pear
• Quercus – Oak
• Rosa – Rose

References

• Chinery, Michael, 1986 (Reprinted 1991). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe.
• Skinner, Bernard, 1984. Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles.

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