Mottled Umber - Erannis defoliaria

Wingspan 30-40 mm. A variable species, with some strongly-banded individuals, others plain brownish with darker speckling. The females are completely wingless.

It can be found in woodland, scrub, hedgerows, grassland and various other habitats.

The flight period is late in the year, from October into December.

Larva, formerly considered a pest, feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Oak, Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Apple, Dog-rose, Sycamore, Hornbeam and Elm, overwintering as an egg.

It is distributed commonly over most of Britain, especially so in the south. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)