Pale Oak Beauty - Hypomecis punctinalis

Description

Wingspan 46 to 55 mm. Although rather variable in ground colour, this species can be confused with Great Oak Beauty. One of the separating features is that the latter species has a pale spot on a dark background on the tip of the forewing underside.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Favoured habitat is woodland.

When to see it

The adults fly between May and July.

Life History

Larvae feed on Oak, Birch and other trees.

UK Status

Occurring in the south of England and Wales. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
70.268 BF1944

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Pale Oak Beauty
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Records on NatureSpot:
10
First record:
01/05/2011 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
01/06/2025 (Wright, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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