Photo © Mike Wall

Mottled Umber

Erannis defoliaria

Checklist Number
70.256 [B&F: 1935]

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

Classification

Family:Geometridae
Subfamily:Ennominae
Genus:Erannis
Species:defoliaria
Authority:(Clerck, 1759)

Common in woodland, scrub, hedgerows, grassland, heathland, moorland and gardens throughout the British Isles, at low altitudes in the north. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 40-45 mm, female wingless. Somewhat similar to Scarce Umber Agriopis aurantiaria and Dotted Border A. marginaria, which see for differences. Larva, formerly considered a pest, feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Oak, Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Apple, Dog-rose, Sycamore, Hornbeam and Elm, over-wintering as an egg.

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)