70.269 BF1946

Speckled Beauty Fagivorina arenaria

(Hufnagel, 1767)

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Wingspan 25-30 mm.

Formerly resident in Britain, this species has not been seen here for over 100 years, and is declining elsewhere in Europe. It is a species of oak forests, and habitat destruction is the major cause of its demise.

Abroad, the moth flies in June and July, and the larvae are unusual among the larger moths in that they feed on lichens growing on tree trunks.