65.007 BF1651

Chinese Character Cilix glaucata

(Scopoli, 1763)

Wingspan 18-22 mm.

This unusual-looking moth combines its wing-pattern and resting posture to give the appearance of a bird-dropping, thus avoiding the attention of hungry birds. It has two generations in the year, May and June, then again in August, when the adults can be attracted by light.

It occurs fairly commonly in England, Wales, Ireland and southern Scotland, and can be found in hedgerows, gardens and woodland.

The larvae feed mainly on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus), but occasionally other Prunus species.