| Purple Thorn | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Selenia |
| Species: | S. tetralunaria |
| Binomial name | |
| Selenia tetralunaria Hufnagel, 1767 |
|
The Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a species of northern and central Europe. It has a scattered distribution in Britain but is absent from Ireland.
This species is dark purplish-brown, paler towards the termen, with a dark spot at the apex of the forewing. Both wings are marked with a comma-shaped white mark. The margins of the wings are angular, giving the species a distinctive shape. Two broods are produced each year and they differ considerably in size and colour. Adults of the spring brood, which fly in April and May, have a wingspan of 46–52 mm. Moths of the summer brood, flying in July and August,[1] are smaller (wingspan 44–46 mm) and darker. The species flies at night and is attracted to light.
The caterpillar feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as a pupa.