Swallow Prominent

The wings are held close to the body at rest, steeply angled. They are very similar in appearance to the Lesser Swallow Prominent but can be distinguished by the white wedge on the trailing edge of the forewing which is longer, narrower and more greyish-white in the Sallow Prominent.

The larvae can be seen from June to July and late August to September which then overwinter underground as pupae.

Size and Family

• Family – Prominent and kitten moths (Notodontinae)
• Medium Sized
• Wingspan Range – 44-56mm

Conservation status

• UK BAP: Not listed
• Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Aspen (Populus tremula), other poplars and sallows.

Habitat

Woodland, scrub, gardens and parks.

Distribution

• Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
• Well distributed and fairly frequent throughout Great Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands. But more local in Scotland.