Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria - Distribution map

Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.

As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.

In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.

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70.239 BF1919

Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria

(Hufnagel, 1767)


Wingspan 30-38 mm.

Like the Early Thorn (S. dentaria), this species produces two generations except in the northern extreme of its range, producing smaller and paler individuals in late summer.

The two broods fly in April and May, then in July and August. Where there is only one generation, the moths are out in May.

Occupying woodland, heathland and other bushy areas, this species is fairly common in southern England and Wales, becoming scarcer northwards into southern Scotland. There are only a handful of records from Ireland.

The caterpillars feed on a range of deciduous trees.
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