The Feathered Thorn is unlike any other moth likely to be flying very late in the year. The rich reddish-brown adults rest with wings flat and have a slightly hooked tip to the forewing, males have broadly feathered antennae.
Can occasionally be found below trees and bushes or low on trunks, the male is often seen on the wing after dark and comes to light, often in numbers, usually several hours after dusk. Females are seen less frequently.
Winter is spent as an egg on the foodplant before caterpillars then emerge in the spring and can be seen between April and June. Pupates just below the ground.
Flight Season
Flies from mid-September to early December in one generation.
Size and Family
- Family – Ennominae
- Medium Sized
- Wingspan Range – 35-45mm
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
Caterpillars feed on a variety of broadleaved trees, including Birch (Betula), Hazel (Corylus), Hawthorn (Crataegus), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris), Dog-rose (Rosa canina), Goat Willow (Salix caprea), Black-poplar (Populus nigra) and Elms (Ulmus).
Habitat
Can be found in broadleaved woodland, parks and gardens but less so in urban areas.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
- Common and well-distributed

Feathered Thorn (male) - Iain Leach
Feathered Thorn (male)
Iain Leach

Feathered Thorn (female) - Peter Maton
Feathered Thorn (female)
Peter Maton

Feathered Thorn (male) - Iain Leach
Feathered Thorn (male)
Iain Leach

Feathered Thorn - Peter Maton
Feathered Thorn
Peter Maton

Feathered Thorn - Stuart Read
Feathered Thorn
Stuart Read

Feathered Thorn - Stuart Read
Feathered Thorn
Stuart Read

Feathered Thorn (male) - Peter Maton
Feathered Thorn (male)
Peter Maton

Feathered Thorn - Ben Sale
Feathered Thorn
Ben Sale

Feathered Thorn (male antennae) - Ben Sale
Feathered Thorn (male antennae)
Ben Sale

Feathered Thorn (eggs) - Jérôme Albre
Feathered Thorn (eggs)
Jérôme Albre

Feathered Thorn (caterpillar) - Paul Davis
Feathered Thorn (caterpillar)
Paul Davis

Feathered Thorn (caterpillar) - Garry Barlow
Feathered Thorn (caterpillar)
Garry Barlow