70.024 BF1690

Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria

(Hübner, [1799])

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Wingspan 26-29 mm.

Like the rather similar Blood-vein (Timandra griseata), this species has a cross-line which extends across all four wings when at rest, though the colour is generally less pink.

Feeding on privet (Ligustrum) and a variety of low-growing plants, the caterpillars overwinter.

The adults fly at night during July and August and occupy habitats such as waste ground, hedgerows and coastal sand-dunes.

It is fairly common in the southern half of Britain, but local further north.