Common in woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 45-62 mm. In the past, dark forms predominated in urban areas. Larva feeds on many different types of tree and shrub, including Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Birch and Lime, and some herbaceous plants, including Mugwort and Goldenrod, 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