Common Heath - Ematurga atomaria
Wingspan 22 to 30 mm.This is a rather variable species.
Inhabiting heaths, moorland and open woodland.
It appears in May and June, sometimes again in August in the south and flies during the day, sometimes abundantly in sunshine.
The caterpillars, which are equally variable, feed on heather, heath and clovers.
It is common throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).
Rod Baker
Ketton
31 May 2013
Mark Skevington
Ketton Quarry
06 May 2003
Richard Jeffery
Ketton Quarry
15 July 2014
marianmarkham@btinternet.com
Ketton Quarry LRWT
13 April 2026
Male
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Species profile
- Common names
- Common Heath
- Species group:
- insect - moth
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Geometridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 20
- First record:
- 06/05/2003 (Skevington, Mark)
- Last record:
- 27/04/2026 (Johnson, Andrew)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
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Latest images
Latest records
AJ Cann
Ketton Quarry
08 May 2016
Richard Jeffery
Ketton Quarry
15 July 2014
Andy's Rutland
Ketton Nature Reserve
01 May 2018
