Riband Wave
| Riband Wave | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Idaea aversata Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is an abundant species in Europe, the Near East and North Africa, its distinctive outline familiar at lighted windows.
The species has a wingspan of 30-35 mm. The wings are buff or cream with dark fascia. Two main forms exist, equally abundant: One has darker shading between the central fascia, the other hasn't. The adults fly at night from June to August, occasionally later, and are attracted to light.
The larva is brown, tapering towards the front, and feeds on a variety of plants including bedstraw, chickweed, dandelion and knotgrass. The species overwinters as a small larva.
External Link
Riband Wave at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera pages
References
Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984