Merveille du Jour

Light green in colour with black markings, some of which are edged in white.

The adults feed at ivy flowers and overripe berries. They overwinter as eggs on branches or in bark crevices of the foodplant. The young caterpillars will first feed inside an opening bud and then when they are larger they will feed only at night, spending the day hiding in a bark crevice on the tree trunk.

Size and Family

• Family – Sharks, shoulder-knots, chestnuts, sallows and allies (Noctuidae)
• Medium-sized
• Wingspan Range – 36-46mm

Conservation status

• UK BAP: Not listed
• Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Feed on the leaves and immature flowers of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea). Possibly also Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris).

Habitat

Broadleaved woodland, parks and hedgerows.

Distribution

• Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
• Common and fairly well distributed across England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. Local in mainland Scotland and on the Isle of Man. Thinly distributed across Ireland.