Essex Emerald

A golden leading edge to the forewing and white central spot are diagnostic. The wing fringes are plain.

The adults fly at night and are attracted to light. The caterpillars can be found from August to late the following May, overwintering low down on the foodplant. They camouflage themselves by attaching parts of the foodplant to their bodies.

Size and Family

• Family – Emeralds (Geometridae)
• Medium Sized
• Wingspan Range – 28-34mm

Conservation Status

• UK BAP: Not Listed
• Previously rare (Red Data Book) now presumed extinct

Caterpillar Food Plants

Sea Wormwood (Seriphidium maritimum)

Habitat

Upper saltmarsh zones above the tideline

Distribution

• Countries – England and Wales
• Local, presumed extinct. Only ever recorded on the coast in Essex and Kent. The last records dated from in the early 1990s.