Bright wave moth (Idaea ochrata cantiata)

Bright Wave
Bright Wave

Bright wave moth fact file

Bright wave moth description

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyGeometridae
GenusIdaea (1)

Adult Bright Wave moths are ochreous brown to orange in colour with fine waved cross-lines on both the fore- and hind-wings (2). The slightly wrinkled caterpillars are pale ochreous brown in colour with three greyish lines along the back (4).

Size
Wingspan: 2.1- 2.4 cm (2)
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Bright wave moth biology

Very little is known about the ecology of this moth (3). It is single brooded; the adult flight period is between late June late July (5); adults can be found resting in bushes and low vegetation during the day (2) and are easily disturbed (5). The overwintering stage is the caterpillar, which occurs between August and May, and probably feeds on the flowers of a range of sand hill plants (2).

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Bright wave moth range

Since 1980, this species has been recorded from three coastal areas in Suffolk, Essex and Kent, and may occur in other areas when blown by the wind (3). It is now believed that this species is no longer present in Suffolk or Essex, but is currently restricted as a British resident species to an 18km stretch of coastline in east Kent (5). It is also found in central and southern Europe, North Africa and northern Iran (3).

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Bright wave moth habitat

Inhabits sandy shingle beaches, golf-course rough and coastal sand hills (3).

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Bright wave moth status

Classified as Rare in Great Britain but may be re-classified as Vulnerable (3).

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Bright wave moth threats

The main threats to this species include coastal erosion, golf-course management and pressure from humans using beaches inhabited by the Bright Wave moth for recreational purposes (3).

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Bright wave moth conservation

The Bright Wave moth is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. It is also included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, which funded survey work in 1997 (6). The Species Action Plan for the Bright Wave aims to determine the detailed habitat needs of the species, maintain viable populations in the current range and where possible restore the species to its 1980s distribution (3), possibly with the help of reintroductions (6). In Suffolk, the species occurred on land that is managed as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and a Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve (6). Measures to prevent recreational damage to key beaches have been proposed, along with raising public awareness and appreciation of the species and the importance of its sensitive habitats (6).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

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Find out more

Further reading on moths:
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying Moths. Poyser, London.
Skinner, B. (1984) Moths of the British Isles. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth

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Authentication

Information authenticated by Sean Clancy.

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Glossary

Single brooded
(Also known as 'univoltine'). Insect life cycle that takes 12 months to be complete, and involves a single generation. The egg, larva, pupa or adult over winters as a dormant stage.
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References

  1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary ( January 2003) http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
  2. Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
  3. UK BAP Species Action Plan (December 2001): http://www.ukbap.org.uk
  4. South, R. (1961) The moths of the British Isles. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd. London.
  5. S.P. Clancy (2002) The Bright Wave Moth (Idaea ochrata cantiata Prout,1913) – Survey 2002. Confidential Report to English Nature. Peterborough.
  6. Suffolk Local Biodiversity Action Plan (December 2001): http://www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/e-and-t/countryside/biodiversity/action_plan/species/documents/brightwavemoth_000.pdf

More »Related species

Silky wave moth (Idaea dilutaria)Chalk carpet moth (Scotopteryx bipunctaria cretata)Straw belle moth (Aspitates gilvaria gilvaria)Netted carpet moth (Eustroma reticulatum)Dingy mocha moth (Cyclophora pendularia)Essex emerald moth (Thetidia smaragdaria maritima)Waved carpet moth (Hydrelia sylvata)Sussex emerald moth (Thalera fimbrialis)

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This is a UK sandy shore species. Visit our habitat page to learn more.

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Image credit

Bright Wave  
Bright Wave

© Paul Waring

Paul Waring
Windmill View
1366 Lincoln Road
Werrington
Peterborough
PE4 6LS
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1733 571 917
paul_waring@btinternet.com

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