Bright Wave

A small sandy-brown moth with a rather pointed forewing, often fading to a lighter shade of brown.

Easily disturbed by day from grass swords, where it rests on the stems. Flies from late afternoon, at dusk and after dark. Comes to light, sometimes in large numbers. Overwinters as a part-grown caterpillar, on stems near the ground.

Flight Season

Flies from Mid-June to early August in one generation, usually ending by the third week of July.

Size and Family

Family - Geometridae
Small Sized
Wingspan Range - 21 - 24mm

Conservation status

Red Data Book
Resident and Immigrant

Caterpillar Food Plants

Caterpillars feed on Smooth Tare where it eats the flowers, seedpods, foliage and stems. Also found in association with Hare's-foot Clover flowers, on which it can complete its development. Also flowers of other species, including vetches, Lesser Stitchwort and daisies.

Habitat

On the nature reserve, breeds on the vegetated shingle, outside the grazed areas only. The golf-course breeding sites are in the 'roughs', open areas with fine grasses and herbs growing on stabilised sand. On shingle with sand-dunes at Kingsdown, Kent, and formerly in Suffolk. On sandy undercliffs on the north shore of Pegwell Bay, Kent.