For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Lesser Swallow Prominent Moths
Identify It > Moth Section > Lesser Swallow Prominent Moths >
Scientific name: Pheosia gnoma
Size: Wingspan up to 52mm
Distribution: Commonly found throughout the UK
Months seen: April to August
Habitat: Woods, meadows and gardens
Food: The caterpillars feed on Birch
Special features: Lesser Swallow Prominent moths have cream coloured forewings with a black and tan coloured band running along the inner edge. At the trailing edge of the forewings there is a white triangular patch which cuts through the darker band.
Apart from the smaller size this is the main way to distinguish this moth from the Swallow Prominent Moth which has just a long, narrow white line instead of the white triangle.
Both the Swallow Prominent and the Lesser Swallow Prominent are attracted to light at night.
The green and brown caterpillars can be found between June and September. They spend the winter underground in the pupal stage.
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