Dotted border
The dotted border is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1776. It is found throughout Europe, except the far north, and the Near East.
The female of this species has only vestigial wings and is totally flightless. It is usually found resting on the trunks and branches of the larval food plants. The male has orange-brown forewings with a paler yellowish band and a row of dots along the termen which gives it its common name. The hindwings are whitish with faint fascia. Melanic forms are frequently seen. The wingspan is 36–42 mm. The adults are active from February to April, the male sometimes coming to light but not strongly attracted.
The larva is greenish brown with dark cross-shaped markings along the back and feeds on a range of trees and shrubs. The species overwinters as a pupa.
- The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
