Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria (Clerck, 1759))

Scientific name: Lycia hirtaria (Clerck, 1759)
Common name: Brindled Beauty
French name: Phalène hérissée
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Heterocera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Ennominae
Wingspan: 42-52 mm
Biotope: Forests, parks and gardens.
Geographic area: All Europe and east to Asia Minor.
Flight time: Early April to late May.
Number of generations : 1
Caterpillar: Reddish and purple longitudinal lines with yellow spots on the sides.
Host plant: Many trees including Birch (Betula), Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Beech (Fagus sylvatica).

The Brindled Beauty has a thick and hairy body.
The wings show cross lines and a fringe.
During the day, the Brindled Beauty rest on the trunks of trees or stone walls.
They over winter as chrysalis.


Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) - Yvelines, France - June 25th 2005
[To know more about the Brindled Beauty]    [Next picture]    [Top]
Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)
At this time I have only pictures of the caterpillar, just waiting to see an imago.
I found this caterpillar in the foliage of a Prunus I was cutting back.
I put it back in the remaining foliage after the photos.



Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) - Yvelines, France - June 25th 2005
[To know more about the Brindled Beauty]    [Next picture]    [Previous picture]    [Top]
Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)
Here is a close view of the caterpillar's head.
Its colour and its twig-like shape seems to make an efficient camouflage.



Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) - Yvelines, France - June 16th 2012
[To know more about the Brindled Beauty]    [Next picture]    [Previous picture]    [Top]
Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)
I have observed this caterpillar on Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium).



Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) - Yvelines, France - June 17th 2012
[To know more about the Brindled Beauty]    [Previous picture]    [Top]
Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)
Unfortunately the head is hidden …

[Top]    Site map    André Bon January 2016