Similar in appearance to the Sussex Emerald but with only one point on each of the hindwings where the Sussex Emerald has two. The wing fringes are chequered.
The adults fly at night from dusk and are attracted to light. The caterpillars can be found from July to early the following June overwintering as small larvae.
Size and Family
- Family – Emeralds (Geometridae)
- Medium Sized
- Wingspan Range – 28-34mm
Conservation Status
- UK BAP: Not Listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Hazel (Corylus avellana), oaks, willows, birches, wild and cultivated barberries and other woody plants
Habitat
Woodland, hedgerows, scrub on heathland and downland and occasionally on roadside verges, parks and gardens.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales and Ireland
- Common. Well distributed throughout much of England and Wales except in high ground areas, also in the southern half of Ireland and in the Channel Islands. Local on the Isle of Man.
Common Emerald - Ben Sale
Common Emerald
Ben Sale
Common Emerald - Ryszard Szczygieł
Common Emerald
Ryszard Szczygieł
Common Emerald - Koen Thonissen
Common Emerald
Koen Thonissen
Common Emerald
Common Emerald - nutmeg66 (Flickr)
Common Emerald
nutmeg66 (Flickr)
Common Emerald - Ilia Ustyantsev
Common Emerald
Ilia Ustyantsev
Common Emerald - Stuart Read
Common Emerald
Stuart Read
Common Emerald
Common Emerald - Dave Shenton
Common Emerald
Dave Shenton
Common Emerald - Dave Shenton
Common Emerald
Dave Shenton
Common Emerald (caterpillar)
Common Emerald (caterpillar)
Common Emerald (caterpillar)