Focus on a moth - Orthosia hibisci...

Orthosia hibisci, or the Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth is a common early spring feature of the mothing year. The larvae feed on a wide variety of trees including apple, plum and cherries. The main flight period is concentrated in April to early May.


This is a typical example of the Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth. It was captured, photographed and released in my back yard in April last year. This species is quite variable with some individuals displaying quite extensive reddish shading in the median part of the forewing.


This moth, as you can see, is rather cryptic and well concealed when resting on a dead leaf.