The Scalloped Hazel (Odontopera bidentata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a common species of northern and central Europe including the British Isles.

Caterpillar

This is a very variable species with the wing colour ranging from whitish through buff and brown to black, sometimes with variegation, but it is always easily identifiable by the white discal spot on each wing and the characteristic "ragged" margin of the wings. The wingspan is 46–50 mm. The adults fly at night in May and June^[1] and are attracted to light.

The caterpillar is green or brown and very twig-like and feeds on a variety of plants (see list below). The species overwinters as a pupa.

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

Recorded food plants

• Alnus - Grey Alder
• Arctium - Burdock
• Artemisia - Mugwort
• Betula - Birch
• Cirsium - Creeping Thistle
• Crataegus - Hawthorn
• Fraxinus - European Ash
• Hedera - Ivy
• Larix - Larch
• Ligustrum - Privet
• Malus - Apple
• Picea - Norway Spruce
• Pinus - Scots Pine
• Populus - Poplar
• Prunus - Bird Cherry
• Quercus - Oak
• Rhododendron
• Ribes - Currant
• Salix - Willow
• Sorbus - Rowan
• Tilia - Lime
• Trifolium - Red clover
• Vaccinium - Bilberry

References

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