Photo © Mike Wall

May Highflier

Hydriomena impluviata

Checklist Number
70.075 [B&F: 1778]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Geometridae
Subfamily:Larentiinae
Genus:Hydriomena
Species:impluviata
Authority:([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Common in damp woodland, marshes, river-banks and other damp areas throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire, but scarce on the Isle of Wight, with only two records so far this century. Wingspan 30-34 mm. The main confusion species is Ruddy Highflyer H. ruberata, which is often reddish-brown and has a more westerly and northerly distribution, but grey forms of Ruddy Highflyer are difficult to distinguish from May Highflier. Larva feeds on Alder, over-wintering as a pupa.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)