The Streak - Chesias legatella
Wingspan 30 to 35 mm. This species has a distinctive resting posture, with the long narrow wings held tent-like over the back.
The caterpillars are very similar to the Broom-tip, but are found earlier in the year on Broom
Photograph required please.
Areas where Broom (the larval foodplant) occurs.
It is quite a late species in the season, flying in September and October.
Larvae feed on Broom.
Found throughout most of Britain in any habitat where the foodplant occurs. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Uncommon and local in Leicestershire and Rutland, although occasionally found in good numbers.
Ron Follows
Eyebrook Reservoir
19 October 2001
Rob12
Geeston
30 October 2021
sue
Groby, rocky outcrop N of track Newtown Linford to Groby
07 May 2023
caterpillar on Broom
sue
Sharnford, Fosse Meadows
12 May 2025
from Broom
sue
Sharnford, Fosse Meadows
12 May 2025
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
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Species profile
- Common names
- The Streak, Streak
- Species group:
- insect - moth
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Geometridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 4
- First record:
- 19/10/2001 (Follows, Ron)
- Last record:
- 12/05/2025 (Timms, Sue)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
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