IRON PROMINENT

ADULT: Wingspan - 35 - 40mm. A subtle moth with grey to dark brown forewings that have various rusty orange and yellowish markings. A broken rust-brown band runs along the outside edge of the forewing and there is a small discal spot.  A crossline along the postmedial area is pale with dark red suffusions to the edges. The hindwings are, more often than not, pale grey with dark veining.  All colours of this moth are variable with darker specimens found towards northern areas. LARVA: The hump-backed larva is greenish and mainly feeds on Birch but will use Hazel, Willow and Alder. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light. Some of the pupae of the summer-brood hibernate. HABITAT: Tends to be found in woodland, heathland, along river banks and in gardens. FLIGHT PERIOD: There are two broods, on the wing during May and June, and again in August. The single northern brood appears in June and July. STATUS: Fairly common throughout.