65.01 BF1654

Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis

(Linnaeus, 1767)

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Wingspan 32-38 mm.

This attractive moth adopts a cylindrical posture when at rest, with the wings curled tightly around the body. The white '80' mark on the forewing, from which the moth gets its name, varies in shape and intensity.

Fresh specimens often have a violet or purplish tinge to the brownish ground-colour.

It can be found in woodland, parks and gardens, from Yorkshire southwards, and the larvae feed on poplar (Populus).

It is single-brooded, flying from May to July.