Geometra papilionaria
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Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Geometra
Species: G. papilionaria
Common name: Large Emerald
Flight Season: July - August
The moth has a forewing of 24–29 mm, with males slightly smaller than females. Its wings are a striking pale green, resembling the color of a fresh lime leaf, with two fine white lines crossing both the forewings and hindwings. A third, fainter white line often appears near the base of the forewings. The wings are scalloped at the edges and broad, giving a butterfly-like appearance in flight. The green color fades to a yellowish hue in older specimens or after prolonged exposure to light. The body and legs are also green, with a slight white dusting on the thorax.
The species is single-brooded and widespread but can be locally scarce due to habitat loss, particularly the clearing of mixed woodlands and hedgerows.
