Links - Click links below to navigate site List of Updates Home Page Newsletter About me How to take good photos A-Z Family index and Photos Species identification/FAQ Geographic locations Moth traps Breeding with Caterpillars Seasons to find Moths and Butterflies Contact Disclaimer External Links Text and photographs protected by Copyright © David McCormick 2009, unless otherwise stated, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author. This website is designed to be viewed on Internet Explorer at a resolution 1024x768 or higher, and may not reproduce correctly on Firefox or other browsers. | Welcome to Daves Moth and Butterfly World - Species Name: August Thorn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to Dave McCormick's Moth and Butterfly World. Here is information on the August Thorn (Ennomos quercinaria). Hear Scientific Name Go Back to Ennominae Page Go to Thumbnail Species Index Information The August Thorn (Ennomos quercinaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species can be found in Europe.
This moth in the UK is widespread but fairly local in Wales, north Yorkshire and Cumbria and more numerous in the west. There are few records in Scotland but it is recorded north to Ross-Shire. This moth is widespread but not frequent on the Isle of Man. Widespread and fairly frequent on the Channel Islands and Ireland. In Northern Ireland this moth is common and widespread. It is found regularly at the regularly trapped localities in Co Down, Armagh, south Tyrone and south Fermanagh. It has not yet been recorded in north Fermanagh and appears to be absent there and in most of Tyrone. The August Thorn was first discovered in north Antrim in 2002 at Breen Wood which is the northernmost locality. There is still a chance that undiscovered August thorns are awaiting discovery in the north of Northern Ireland. Its habitats are woodlands, parklands, hedgerows, scrubby downland and sometimes in gardens and can be found at night by light, resting on trees and shrubs.
Flight Period
August Thorns fly in one generation from either August to September or July to September or October depending on location they are found. In Northern Ireland the flight period is around the 22nd July to 20th October in one generation. The flight period in the rest of Ireland is similar with the most records being in August and September and some in October. This table has information on the flight period of the August Thorn. The flight period represents an area as a whole based on overall records of flight times. This may vary in areas within the locations mentioned. The shaded cells in orange, indicate what months the moth is found as an adult. Half coloured cells indicate the first or second half of a month when the moth flies. N Ireland is Northern Ireland and S Ireland is South of Ireland and W Ireland is West of Ireland (Any part of Ireland not included in Northern Ireland).
Similar Species Dusky Thorn (Ennomos fuscantaria), September Thorn (Ennomos erosaria), Clouded August Thorn (Ennomos quercaria)Known Aberrations To Be Completed Adult Information The wingspan of this moth is 42-50 mm. The length of the forewings is 18-22 mm. The adults are attracted to light. August thorn is similar than related thorns, with generally broader forewing, especially in the male (exception being the Large Thorn (Ennomos autumnaria) which is bigger and therefore has a broader forewing) and holds its wings at a lower angle when resting. This is one of several similar 'Thorn moths' and the adults of this species can be distinguished by the shape of the cross-lines on the forewing. The inner line is distinctly curved, and the outer line has a 'kink' where it meets the leading edge.
Mating Information NoneCaterpillar Information This moth overwinters as an egg on its foodplant. The caterpillars feed on oak, beech, Small Leaved Elm, Lime and even Hawthorn and Blackthorn have been reported as foodplants. The caterpillars are usually found from early May to mid July. Pupae Information The caterpillars pupae among the leaves of its foodplant. Forms Pages None Subspecies Pages None Aberrations None Videos Pages
Two August Thorns found on 04/10/2009 at Mountstewart, Co Down, Northern Ireland. (hosted on youtube) Map Data This is to show the compiled map data for this species that I have made. There is currently no map data for this species. References http://www.ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=844 - August Thorn - (c) 2009, Ian Kimbler http://www.vlindernet.nl/vlindersoort.php?vlinderid=345 - August Thorn - waarneming.nl (Dutch) http://www.mothsireland.com/species/1912.htm - August Thorn - MothsIreland - (c) 2007, Angus Tyner Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland (Revised edition) - Paul Waring and Martian Townsend (c) 2003, 2009 Page last edited: 24/12/2009 14:43 (c) David McCormick 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
