Tree-lichen Beauty Cryphia algae
The Tree-lichen Beauty does look like the Brindled Green, but reaching a wing span of 24 to 30 mm only, it is much smaller. It is a very darkgreen owlet moth and is best identified by the light green band near the base of the wing. When getting older the light band becomes lighter and may even turn into white. Quite a variable species otherwise.
The female deposits her eggs in August mainly on or near lichens. The caterpillars appear quite quickly and feed on lichens exclusively. Halfgrown caterpillars overwinter under tree bark or in dead wood. In June pupation takes place, again under bark, in wood but also in the ground. The adults are seen from June to the middle of September. They are attracted to light.
The Tree-lichen Beauty has a strange history in Britain. Uncommon, but reported regularly in the 19th century. In the 20th century not reported at all. But since 2000 reported astray in the South of Engeland every single year. Still very rare, even in Engeland and never reported from Wales, Scotland or Ireland. A common species in the Mediterranean, becoming rare going north. A very uncommon species in Belgium, a rare species in the Netherlands.
