Species Details

ABH: 70.282

BF: 1960

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Ennominae

Taxon: Theria primaria

Authority: (Haworth, 1809)

Vernacular: Early Moth

Account: Common in open woodland, woodland edges, scrub and mature hedgerows throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight common to abundant in late winter amongst hawthorn in open country and on the downs. Wingspan male 32-37 mm, female wingless. Males could be confused with Sloe Carpet Aleucis distinctata, but Early Moth has straighter distal edge of central band and females have band on vestigial wings. The flightless females may be found sitting on the leafless twigs after dark. Larva feeds on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Midland Hawthorn.

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: male 32 — 37 mm; female wingless

Surrey Flight Period: —

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

Foodplant: Crataegus sp., Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn).

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

Status: Vulnerable (VU)

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/theria-primaria/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 221

Individuals: 103

Earliest Year: 1895

Latest Year: 2020

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