Species Details

ABH: 70.212

BF: 1890

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Ennominae

Taxon: Macaria alternata

Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Vernacular: Sharp-angled Peacock

Account: Local in broad-leaved woodland, scrubby heathland and sand-dunes throughout much of England, more commonly in the south The main confusion species is Peacock Moth M. notata, but in M. alternata there is usually an indistinct grey band running through the blotch in the centre of the forewing, across both forewing and hindwing, and the apical markings are bolder, accentuating the more pointed apex and deeper notch in the termen. Larva feeds on Sallow, Blackthorn, Sea Buckthorn and Alder, over-wintering as a pupa.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 27 — 32 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 29 Apr (2010) — 28 Aug (2015)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant:

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP:

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 2 — Care needed to identify, an image may be required 🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/macaria-alternata/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 77

Individuals: 17

Earliest Year: 1946

Latest Year: 2025

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