Purple Thorn

Taxobox
name = Purple Thorn


image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Geometridae
genus = "Selenia"
species = "S. tetralunaria"
binomial = "Selenia tetralunaria"
binomial_authority = Hufnagel, 1767The Purple Thorn ("Selenia tetralunaria") is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a species of northern and central Europe. It has a scattered distribution in Britain but is absent from Ireland.

This species is dark purplish-brown, paler towards the termen, with a dark spot at the apex of the forewing. Both wings are marked with a comma-shaped white mark. The margins of the wings are angular, giving the species a distinctive shape. Two broods are produced each year and they differ considerably in size and colour. Adults of the spring brood, which fly in April and May, have a wingspan of 46–52 mm. Moths of the summer brood, flying in July and August,ref|flight_season are smaller (wingspan 44–46 mm) and darker. The species flies at night and is attracted to light.

The caterpillar feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as a pupa.

Notes

#Note|flight_season"The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range."

Recorded food plants

*"Alnus" – Alder
*"Betula" – Birch
*"Fraxinus" – European Ash
*"Malus" – Apple
*"Populus" – Black Poplar
*"Prunus"
*"Pyrus" – Pear
*"Quercus" – Oak
*"Rosa" – Rose

References

*Chinery, Michael, 1986 (Reprinted 1991). "Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe".
*Skinner, Bernard, 1984. "Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles".