Apeira syringaria


Apeira syringaria, the lilac beauty, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout Europe.
The wingspan is 38–42 mm. The length of the forewings is 19–22 mm. The front wings are coloured violet-grey to bright reddish brown and yellowish in the marginal field. There are white marks along the costa. The interior cross line is pinkish white and broken under the costa. The narrow central band is red-brown and continues on the hindwings. The outer cross line is dark on the front edge becoming pink white adjoining on the hind wings a dark row of dots. A pink-white spot is located off the apex of the wing. In rest, the front margins of the wings are curiously folded. This, in combination with the colour and pattern give a crumpled leaf-like appearance.

The moth flies from June to July.
The caterpillars feed on honeysuckle and privet. This species overwinters as a larva.
Ecology: found in woodland, heaths and occasionally fens.