Lepidoptera The Forester Moth – Ino Statices
The fore wings of this species are semi-transparent, and of a beautiful glossy green. The hind wings also are semi-transparent, but of a dull smoky tint. The thorax and abdomen are both of a brilliant metallic green colour. The tips of the antenna are blunt, and the male may be distinguished from his mate by these organs being slightly fringed or ciliated.
The caterpillar is dingy grey or greenish, with a row of black spots down the back, and a whitish stripe on each side. It feeds on the common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and the sheep sorrel (R. acetosella), and when fully grown it spins a cocoon on the stem of its food plant, and there changes to a chrysalis.
The larva may be found during May and early June. The chrysalis state lasts only a few days, and the moth is on the wing during June and July.