70.108 BF1796

Pale November Moth Epirrita christyi

(Allen, 1906)

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Wingspan c.40 mm.

Difficult to separate in the field from its close congeners, E. dilutata and E. autumnata, this species is widespread over much of Britain, but more local, although confusion over identification clouds the true distribution. Identification of the males by the genitalia structure is the most reliable method..

The moths fly from September till November, and tend to favour more wooded habitats than the other two species.

The larvae are also difficult to identify to species level, but feed on a range of bushes and trees, such as elm (Ulmus), beech (Fagus) and birch (Betula)