70.275 BF1952

Common Heath Ematurga atomaria

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 22-30 mm.

Inhabiting heaths, moorland and open woodland, this rather variable species flies during the day, sometimes abundantly in sunshine.

It is common throughout Britain, and appears in May and June, sometimes again in August in the south.

The caterpillars, which are equally variable, feed on heather (Calluna), heath (Erica) and clovers (Trifolium spp).