Lepidoptera The Willow Beauty Moth – Boarmia Gemmaria
Our second example of the Boarmiida is the Willow Beauty, the male of which species is here illustrated. Its wings are brownish grey, marked with dark brown lines and streaks. The female is generally larger than the male, and has simple antenna. The moth is abundant throughout England, and may be seen generally resting on fences and trees in June and July.
The ground colour of the caterpillar is much the same as that of the moth, and is marked with a similar darker tint. It has a yellowish line along the spiracles, and is much like a piece of brownish twig. It feeds on the oak (Quercus Robur), Birch (Betula alba), ivy (Hedera Helix), and other trees, and may be found in September and October.