Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata)

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata (Schrank, 1802))

Scientific name: Idaea seriata (Schrank, 1802)
Common name: Small Dusty Wave
French name: Vieillie, Voisine
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Heterocera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Sterrhinae
Wingspan: 15-21 mm.
Biotope: Forests, parks and gardens, wastelands.
Geographic area: Europe, Near East, North Africa, northern Asia, Siberia.
Flight time: May-June then August-October.
Number of generations : 2 (only 1 in the northern part of its range).
Caterpillar: Brown with black marks on the first segment behind the head.
Host plant: Many plants including Ivy, Plantains, Nettles, Apple trees etc.

The Small Dusty Wave's wings are more or less greyish without any specific clear markings.
They show the typical discal spots of the Idaea genus.
The white fringe is bordered with a black dotted line alternating small dashes and dots. The dots are well marked and seem to extend into the fringe.
The abdomen is greyish white and ringed with dark grey.
When at rest, the antennae are positioned on each side and seem to form a continuous line touching the top of the head.
There is a possible confusion with the Mullein Wave (Scopula marginepunctata).
The first key to tell them apart is the size. Idaea seriata is a small moth.
The dots on the fringe also differ. These black dots seem to extend inside the fringe on Idaea seriata. They are forming very flat triangles, pointing towards the inner part of the wings on Scopula marginepunctata.
Idaea seriata over winters as a caterpillar.

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata) - Yvelines, France - May 24th 2005

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I have shot this picture in my garden, this moth was landed on an old fence.
I have first thought to Mullein Wave (Scopula marginepunctata), but the size and the patterns bordering the fringe are rather indicating the Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata).

Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata) - Yvelines, France - May 26th 2010

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