The males have long, whitish antennae, the females shorter, both sexes having bronzy or metallic greenish forewings. The moths fly in the daytime, sometimes occurring in swarms.

The caterpillar lives in a portable case.

Flight Season

Flies from May to June in one generation.

Size and Family

  • Family – Adelidae
  • Small Sized
  • Wingspan Range – 14-18mm

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Caterpillars feed on leaf-litter.

Habitat

Open areas such as heathland, moorland, gardens, parks and woodland glades.

Distribution

  • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
  • Fairly frequent throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland but more local in Ireland.

Green longhorn - Heath McDonald

Green longhorn

Green longhorn - Ryszard Szczygieł

Green longhorn

Green longhorn - Vlad Proklov

Green longhorn

Green longhorn - Vlad Proklov

Green longhorn

Green longhorn - Paul Davis

Green longhorn

Green longhorn - Vlad Proklov

Green longhorn

Green longhorn - Ben Sale

Green longhorn

Green longhorn (underwing) - Vlad Proklov

Green longhorn (underwing)

Green longhorns - Tim Melling

Green longhorns

Green longhorns - Vlad Proklov

Green longhorns

Green Longhorn Moths - Laura Gundy

Green Longhorn swarm