Three roughly parallel, diagonal white lines crossing the forewings. The head and thorax are green, the antennae are orange and front legs are pink. The male also has bright pink or pinkish-brown fringes to the wings.
The adults are attracted to light. The caterpillars can be seen from July to September and then they overwinter as pupae on the underside of the foodplant leaves or in a bark crevice.
Size and Family
- Family – Noctuidae
- Small Sized
- Wingspan Range – 32-38mm
Conservation Status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Caterpillar Food Plants
Broadleaved trees; usually oaks, Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) or Beech (Fagus sylvatica) but also sometimes Hazel (Corylus avellana), Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Aspen (Populus tremula) and elms.
Habitat
Mainly found in woodland but can be seen in gardens close to woodland areas.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
- Fairly well distributed and frequent across much of England and Wales. More local further north in Northumberland, Cumbria and Scotland. Also local on the Isle of Man and in Ireland. Widespread but less frequent in the Channel Islands.
Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines
Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines - Garry Barlow
Green Silver-lines
Garry Barlow
Green Silver-lines - Patrick Clement
Green Silver-lines_night
Green Silver-lines - Patrick Clement
Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines
Iain Leach
Green Silver-lines - Ben Sale
Green Silver-lines
Ben Sale
Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)
Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)
Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)
Green Silver-lines (caterpillar) - Garry Barlow
Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)
Garry Barlow