Barred Rivulet

Perizoma bifaciata

Photo © Andy Mitchell

Barred Rivulet

Perizoma bifaciata

Photo © Andy Mitchell



Perizoma bifaciata, the barred rivulet, is a moth in the family of geometer moths (Geometridae). It was first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1809.

Description

It is small (wingspan 18–21 mm), thin, and more or less brown all over. The forewing' can vary in colour from light golden brown to dark red brown, often with a wide, darker coloured band in the centre, but this can vary. The band is covered on both sides with a wide, doubled, irregular white band. The wings have a white, triangular exterior. The hindwing is grey/white. The larva is light grey/green with short, white patches. See also Prout.

Life cycle

The species has larvae which live near plants such as Odontites and large specimens of Euphrasia, both in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). This species hibernates as pupae, sometimes for many years, which is unusual for geometer moths. The grown butterflies fly in July and August.


Range

The species is found in the Palearctic realm.

Source: Wikipedia

Foodplants

The primary larval foodplants are eyebrights (Euphrasia spp.) and Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus).