Figure of Eighty

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Figure of Eighty
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Drepanidae Genus: Tethea Species: T. ocularis
Binomial name
Tethea ocularis Linnaeus, 1767

The Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis) is a moth of the family Drepanidae. It is found throughout continental Europe and has a scattered distribution in England and Wales, although it is absent from Scotland and Ireland.

The wingspan is 35-45 mm, the dark brown forewings being marked with dark-centred white stigmata which do look rather like the number 80. The hindwings are grey. The species flies from May to July ^[1] and is attracted to light and sugar.

The grey and white larva feeds on poplar and aspen. The species overwinters as a pupa.

1. ^  The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

[edit] References

Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)

Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984