Oak Beauty - Biston strataria

Wingspan 40-50 mm. A large-bodied, attractive species with alternate bands of chestnut and white, speckled with black.

Frequents deciduous woodland and suburban habitats.

It flies in March and April.

The caterpillars feed on a number of deciduous trees; the species is not restricted to Oak.

Reasonably common in England and Wales, scarcer in Scotland and Ireland. Lycia hirtaria. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).