Small Emerald
Hemistola chrysoprasaria
This record describes Hemistola chrysoprasaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-32 mm. A distinctive moth. It has emerald green wings that are crossed with white lines. The green wing colour often fades in more mature specimens. Inhabits woodland edges and hedgerows mainly on chalk downs and limestone where the foodplant grows. The adults are on the wing in July and August. The larva feeds on Traveller's-joy in September and October when it is brown, matching dead stems and reaching about 12 mm length. From November to March it diapauses before completing feeding and growth in April and May when it is green, matching live plants. The larva can be distinguished by the pair of forward pointing cones near the head and its many small white warts. Occurring in the southern parts of Britain and becoming scarcer north of the Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Hemistola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabits woodland edges and hedgerows mainly on chalk downs and limestone where the foodplant grows.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds on Traveller's-joy in September and October when it is brown, matching dead stems and reaching about 12 mm length. From November to March it diapauses before completing feeding and growth in April and May when it is green, matching live plants. The larva can be distinguished by the pair of forward pointing cones near the head and its many small white warts.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring in the southern parts of Britain and becoming scarcer north of the Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hemistola chrysoprasaria. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Small Emerald (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Emerald
What is Small Emerald?
Small Emerald (Hemistola chrysoprasaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Small Emerald found?
Habitat: Inhabits woodland edges and hedgerows mainly on chalk downs and limestone where the foodplant grows.
When is Small Emerald active?
Small Emerald: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Small Emerald?
The larva feeds on Traveller's-joy in September and October when it is brown, matching dead stems and reaching about 12 mm length. From November to March it diapauses before completing feeding and growth in April and May when it is green, matching live plants. The larva can be distinguished by the pair of forward pointing cones near the head and its many small white warts.