Iron Prominent Notodontidae

Maps updated: April 2008

Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 42-50mm. The forewings are generally dark brown with a small discal spot, a postmedial crossline which is often broken and outer margins which are suffused dark red. The hindwings are pale grey-brown with dark veining. The colouring is prone to variation with locality and very dark specimens are not uncommon.

Key Identification Features:

Sets:  male upperside

Flight Period: Beginning of May to mid-August.

Status: Common and widespread in southern counties but apparently scarce and more sporadic further north, although this may due to under recording.

Ecology: A species associated with a variety of habitats especially damp woodland, bogs and fens, where the foodplant is common. Adults come frequently to light in small numbers. The larvae can be found, usually exposed, on small, often isolated, birch Betula spp. trees between late May and the end of September. Additional foodplants include Alder Alnus glutinosa, oak Quercus spp. and Hazel Corylus avellana. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Across central and northern Europe.

