Cheshire
Macro-Moths - Light Emerald
The
Light Emerald - Campaea margaritata Linnaeus
Imago / Adult:
The adult moth (imago) varies between 42mm and 54 mm
wingspan with the female usually being the larger of the pair. The
ground colour is a very pale whitish moss green. It is a resident
moth which is normally single-brooded and flies from late June through
to early August. A widespread and moderately common moth in the Vice-Counties
of Cheshire (VC-58) and South Lancashire (VC-59). The moth comes in
small numbers to both MV and actinic light sources.
Larva:
The larvae, usually 36 to 40mm in length, are a greyish
brown colour in the main though on occasions may be a dirty green.
The larvae have a fringe of hairs, which look like short brownish
bristles, on the lower part of the body along the sides.
Foodplant(s):
The foodplants are varied and include: Birch, hawthorn,
oak, bilberry, sweet chestnut and others.
Overwintering:
The moth overwinters as a hibernating larva (caterpillar).