Dark Umber - Philereme transversata

Description

Wingspan 29 to 37 mm. Although varying in degrees of contrast, this is normally a dark brown species, as the English name suggests. The trailing edges of the wings are distinctly scalloped.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Usually associated with calcareous soils.

When to see it

July and August.

Life History

The caterpillar has two forms - one pale green; the other dark brown and cream. The foodplant is Buckthorn.

UK Status

The species is found in England and Wales, being commoner in the south. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).

Reference
70.119 BF1792

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
Dark Umber
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Records on NatureSpot:
48
First record:
12/07/2003 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
30/06/2025 (Poole, Adam)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records