Latticed Heath

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Latticed Heath
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Geometridae Genus: Semiothisa Species: S. clathrata
Binomial name
Semiothisa clathrata Linnaeus, 1758

The Latticed Heath (Semiothisa clathrata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Chiasmia. It is found throughout Europe, the Near East and North Africa. It is a fairly common species in the British Isles.

The wings are white or buff with a network of brown lines (hence its common name). These lines vary in thickness and sometimes the wings are almost entirely dark brown. One or two broods are produced each year and the adults can be seen at any time from May to September ^[1]. This species flies during the day but also at night and is attracted to light.

The larva is green with white lines and feeds on bedstraws and various legumes such as clovers, lucerne and meadow vetchling. 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