Common Emerald - Hemithea aestivaria

Wingspan 24 to 27 mm. Distinctively shaped and with chequered fringes - this is an easy species to recognise but, like many green moths, its colour tends to fade fairly quickly.

Around woodland and hedgerows.

It flies from dusk onwards in June and July.

The larvae feed on bushes such as Hawthorn and Blackthorn.

Fairly frequent in the southern half of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)