Scalloped Oak Moth (Crocallis elinguaria) - Brighton, July 2020

If you watch this video carefully, you may notice something a little unusual about the Scalloped Oak Moth - answer at the end of this commentary.**

Fairly common across the UK, this night-flying moth flies as an adult in just one generation, usually between July and August. but later if the weather permits.

While the adult is distinctive, the caterpillar is variable in colour but always remarkably twig-like for effective camouflage.

The adult has no tongue so you won't find it feeding.That was all done when they were at the larval stage and the adult's role is simply to reproduce.

**When you see the side view in this my video. note how the wings of the Scalloped Oak are held rigidly horizontal, not pointing upwards or flat on the surface, like most of its kind.