Insecta : Lepidoptera : GeometridaeButterflies and Moths

Cidaria fulvata (Forster, 1771)

Barred Yellow

Cidaria fulvata

Description: Wingspan 25-30mm. A small, attractive and distinctive species that shows little variation in markings. The forewings are dark yellow with a darker, broad central band. There are small pale blotches at the apex of each forewing. From late June to early September.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe as far east as central Asia.

Irish Distribution: Widespread and commonly encountered in eastern counties with scattered populations in south Fermanagh, along the north coast and on Rathlin Island.

Ecology: A species found in a variety of habitats particularly woodland, cutover bogs and a few coastal localities. Adults appear at light in small numbers. The larvae feed on wild roses Rosa spp. and possibly cultivated varieties. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

  • Size and colour
  • Broad central band
  • Pale blotches on forewings

Distribution Map from NBN: Cidaria fulvata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Cidaria fulvata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Thompson, R. & Nelson, B. (2023). Cidaria fulvata. (Forster, 1771). [In] Moths of Northern Ireland.
https://habitas.org/moths/species.php?item=5845. Accessed on 2026-11-02.