Idaea degeneraria


Idaea degeneraria, the Portland ribbon wave, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1799.

Subspecies

In alphabetical order:Idaea degeneraria alticolaria Idaea degeneraria degeneraria
  • ''Idaea degeneraria erschoffi''

Description

The species has a wingspan of 26–31 mm. These small pale brown geometers are darker brown-marked between antemedian and median lines.

Biology

The larvae feed on various low herbaceous plants, mainly dandelion and knotgrass. The adults fly in one generation from June to July.

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe, in the Near East and in North Africa. These moths prefer warm limestone undercliffs.