About Hydriomena furcata (Thunberg, 1784)
Hydriomena furcata is a moth species with a wingspan ranging from 23–30 mm (0.91–1.18 in). Individuals of this species are highly variable in both color and markings. The ground color of the wings varies from olive green to grey, greyish brown, and reddish brown. The dark cross bands on the wings also vary in intensity and pattern; these bands range from reddish brown to blackish, and feature whitish spots and dark speckles. There is an apical streak on the forewings, while the hindwings are pale brown. The edge of the forewing is angled near the base. Compared to other European Hydriomena species, Hydriomena furcata can be distinguished by its shorter palpus, more angled or irregular markings between the subbasal line and the median space, and a dark subterminal band that is almost always interrupted by a white or pale spot in the middle. It also lacks black vein-streaks near the apex. Caterpillars of this species are dark grey on the upper (dorsal) side, dark red on the lower (ventral) side, and have white side stripes. Pupae measure 10 to 14 millimeters long and 3 to 3.8 millimeters wide, and are reddish brown and shiny. The proboscis sheath is slightly shorter than the middle legs and antenna sheaths. The tenth abdominal segment is distinctly curved, and the labium is medium in size. A reliable distinction from related species can be made by examining the bristles on the cremaster. This species occurs in Europe, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, the Urals, Kazakhstan, Siberia, the Russian Far East, northern Mongolia, China, and Korea. In North America, it can be found from Alaska to British Columbia and Newfoundland. It is extremely abundant in northern Europe; it is more local in central Europe, and apparently almost absent from southern Europe. It has a wide range across Siberia and central Asia. Its preferred habitats include moorland areas of sub-alpine and montane regions, hedgerows, and woodland margins.
