Rest Harrow

The only British emerald moth which is not green in colour, the wings are beige or brown with subtle reddish freckling.

The adults fly at night and are attracted to light. At rest, they hang from grass stems and can be disturbed from vegetation during the day. The caterpillars can be found from August to late the following May overwintering as small larvae on the foodplant near the ground.

Size and Family

• Family – Emeralds (Geometridae)
• Small Sized
• Wingspan Range – 26-28mm

Conservation Status

• UK BAP: Priority species
• Rare (Red Data Book)

Caterpillar Food Plants

Common Restharrow (Ononis repens)

Habitat

Open calcareous grassland with short swards

Distribution

• Countries – England
• Red Data Book species. Restricted to two breeding colonies in Kent at Folkestone Warren and coastal sand dunes between Sandwich and Deal. Presumed immigrants occasionally are seen in coastal counties of southern England.