Grey Birch - Aethalura punctulata
Wingspan 30 to 35 mm. This species has a mottled grey ground colour and three darker transverse lines.
Frequents wooded habitats especially where Birch is present.
The adults fly in May and June.
Birch is the main foodplant, but occasionally Alder is used.
Fairly common over much of England and Wales, scarcer and more local in Ireland and Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).
Keith Tailby
Cloud Wood
11 May 2004
Margaret McLoughlin
Whitwick Garden
15 May 2018
Came to light trap
Hazel Graves
Loughborough Garden 1
17 April 2025
Ryder Hurn
Osbaston, Leicestershire
30 April 2025
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Species profile
- Common names
- Grey Birch
- Species group:
- insect - moth
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Geometridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 6
- First record:
- 11/05/2004 (Keith Tailby)
- Last record:
- 30/04/2025 (Ryder Hurn)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
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Latest records
Dave Gamble
Leicester Forest East garden
24 May 2019
Dave Gamble
Leicester Forest East garden
24 May 2019
steven lewis
Frisby, Frisby pits
29 May 2019
