70.041 BF1734 – July Belle – Geometridae – Scotopteryx luridata
July Belle – Geometridae – Larentiinae – Scotopteryx luridata – colour code •
STATUS – A resident species, widely distributed and locally fairly common but scarce in the south of the county. Is most commonest in the northern half of Derbyshire. Not many records or reports. Last recorded from Beeley Moor in July 2023.
ID POINTERS – Confusion species is the Lead Belle and sometimes the two species are indistinguishable. One of the best ID features is the shape and position of the discal spot – small and rounded in the July Belle (luridata) and “Tear Drop” shaped in the Lead Belle (mucronata). Although this character is not always helpful, it is a good guider, along with flight period and the zig-zag outer most cross-line is usualy faint.
FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing between mid June – August
IMAGES – Frogatt – Images by Bryan Barnacle©
July Belle
