Three roughly parallel, diagonal white lines crossing the forewings. The head and thorax are green, the antennae are orange and front legs are pink. The male also has bright pink or pinkish-brown fringes to the wings.

The adults are attracted to light. The caterpillars can be seen from July to September and then they overwinter as pupae on the underside of the foodplant leaves or in a bark crevice.

Size and Family

  • Family – Noctuidae
  • Small Sized
  • Wingspan Range – 32-38mm

Conservation Status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Broadleaved trees; usually oaks, Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) or Beech (Fagus sylvatica) but also sometimes Hazel (Corylus avellana), Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Aspen (Populus tremula) and elms.

Habitat

Mainly found in woodland but can be seen in gardens close to woodland areas.

Distribution

  • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
  • Fairly well distributed and frequent across much of England and Wales. More local further north in Northumberland, Cumbria and Scotland. Also local on the Isle of Man and in Ireland. Widespread but less frequent in the Channel Islands.
Green Silver-lines

Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach

Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach

Green Silver-lines

Green Silver-lines - Garry Barlow

Green Silver-lines

Green Silver-lines - Patrick Clement

Green Silver-lines_night

Green Silver-lines - Iain Leach

Green Silver-lines

Green Silver-lines - Ben Sale

Green Silver-lines

Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)

Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)

Green Silver-lines (caterpillar) - Garry Barlow

Green Silver-lines (caterpillar)