73.069 BF2243

Early Grey Xylocampa areola

(Esper, 1789)

Wingspan 32-40 mm.

As the English name suggests, this is one of the earliest moths to emerge in the season, flying from March to May.

It is fairly well distributed throughout Britain, though commoner in the south.

It tends to inhabit lightly wooded areas and suburban locations, where it is often a visitor to the garden light-trap.

The yellowish-brown larvae feed on honeysuckle (Lonicera).