70.268 BF1944

Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis punctinalis

(Scopoli, 1763)

Wingspan 46-55 mm.

Although rather variable in ground colour, this species can be confused with Great Oak Beauty. One of the separating features is that the latter species has a pale spot on a dark background on the tip of the forewing underside.

Occurring in the south of England and Wales, the favoured habitat is woodland, where the larvae feed on oak (Quercus), birch (Betula) and other trees.

The adults fly between May and July.