Portland Ribbon Wave

Idaea degeneraria

Photo © Slimguy

Portland Ribbon Wave

Idaea degeneraria

Photo © Slimguy



Idaea degeneraria, the Portland ribbon wave, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1799.

Subspecies

In alphabetical order:

Description

The species has a wingspan of 26–31 mm. These small pale brown geometers are darker brown-marked between antemedian and median lines.

Biology

The larvae feed on various low herbaceous plants, mainly dandelion (Taraxacum species) and knotgrass (Polygonum species). The adults fly in one generation from June to July.

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe, in the Near East and in North Africa. These moths prefer warm limestone undercliffs.

Source: Wikipedia

Foodplants

The primary larval foodplant is Hybrid Crack-willow (Salix x fragilis).