Oak Beauty

The last couple of nights have been mild enough to make it worth switching on the moth trap. On Friday the catch consisted largely of Common Quaker with a few Hebrew Character and a Pale Pinion, but last night it was slightly more diverse and contained this stunningly fresh Oak Beauty Biston strataria.


This species is reasonably common in England and Wales, flies in March and April and frequents deciduous woodland and suburban habitats. One or two usually turn up in our moth trap every year. The caterpillars feed on a number of deciduous trees; despite its name the species is not restricted to oak but it certainly is a beauty.