| Insecta : Lepidoptera : Geometridae | Butterflies and Moths |
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| Crocallis elinguaria |
Description: Wingspan 40-46mm. The ground colour of the forewings is generally dark yellow. The central band is clearly defined and darker; there is a small dark discal spot near the costal edge. From the beginning of July to mid-September.
World Distribution: Across Europe to eastern Siberia.
Irish Distribution: Common and widespread throughout N. Ireland particularly in Down, north Armagh and Fermanagh. Many of the recent records in the north are from coastal localities, although it does appear to be scarcer in Antrim. The woodlands around Glenarm may have undetected populations.
Ecology: A distinctive species which favours woodlands but also found on heaths and bogs that have adjacent woodland. Adults come frequently to light in small numbers. The larvae can be found from April to July on a wide variety of trees and shrubs and are occasionally seen from late spring onwards. It overwinters in the egg stage.
Key Identification Features:
Distribution Map from NBN: Crocallis elinguaria at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.
iNaturalist: Crocallis elinguaria at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.
| Thompson, R. & Nelson, B. (2023). Crocallis elinguaria. (Linnaeus, 1758). [In] Moths of Northern Ireland. https://habitas.org/moths/species.php?item=6012. Accessed on 2026-11-02. |