The Broom Moth Ceramica pisi
The Broom Moth is a variable species. The ground colour is grey, or a shade of brown, ranging from almost ochrous to chestnut brown. Sometimes well marked, but not all markings are visible on some animals. Usually the white line near the edge of the wing will be conclusive though. The wingspan is some 32 to 37 mm meaning on average this is a typical owlet moth.
The eggs are being deposited from May to August and the Broom Moth has two breeds a year. Caterpillars are seen from July to October. They pupate by the end of October and the pupa overwinters. The caterpillar is easily identified: it is green or brown, hairless and has a broad yellow line on top and another yellow line on each side. The head usually is light brown. It measures up to 45 mm and feeds during the night and rests on the host plant during hours of daylight. The great Linnaeus called the animal "pisi", because he found the caterpillar on peas (Pisum sativa), but actually this is not the animal's main host plant. It is usually seen on Broom, but lives on many other plants as well, mainly shrubs.
The Broom Moth is quite a common species all over Britain and Ireland. In the Netherlands it is common on sandy soils, but quite rare elsewhere. It lives all over Europe, even above the Polar Circle, and inhabits Russia, as well. Eastwards found all the way to Eastern Asia.
Scientifically this species is also known as Melanchra pisi.
