Scalloped oak
| Scalloped oak | |
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| Species: | C. elinguaria
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| Binomial name | |
| Crocallis elinguaria | |
The scalloped oak (Crocallis elinguaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a common European species.
This is a distinctive species, usually with yellow forewings with a broad orange-brown band and a pointed apex. There can be considerable variation, with the central band sometimes the same colour as the rest of the forewing, ranging from pale yellow to orange-brown. Melanic forms are also known. There is always a blackish discal spot on the forewing. The hindwings are plain whitish. The wingspan is 40–46 mm. The adults fly at night in July and August [1] and are attracted to light, sometimes in large numbers.
The larva, grey and twig-like, feeds on various trees and shrubs (see list below) and is omnivorous and cannibalistic feeding also on smaller larvae. The species overwinters as an egg.
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
Recorded food plants
- Alnus - Alder
- Betula - Birch
- Calluna - Heather
- Corylus - Common hazel
- Lonicera - Honeysuckle
- Populus - Aspen
- Prunus - Bird cherry
- Rhamnus - Buckthorn
- Ribes - Currant
- Rosa - Rose
- Rubus - Raspberry
- Salix - Willow
- Sorbus - Rowan
- Syringa - Common lilac
- Tilia - Lime
- Vaccinium
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