The Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout Europe, except the far north, and the Near East.
The female of this species has only vestigial wings and is totally flightless. It is usually found resting on the trunks and branches of the larval food plants. The male has orange-brown forewings with a paler yellowish band and a row of dots along the tornus which gives it its common name. The hindwings are whiteish with faint fascia. Melanic forms are frequently seen. The wingspan is 36-42 mm. The adults are active from February to April, the male sometimes coming to light but not strongly attracted.
The larva is greenish-brown with dark cross-shaped markings along the back and feeds on a range of trees and shrubs. Recorded food plants include birch, elm, hawthorn, hazel, oak and sallow. The species overwinters as a pupa.
References
- Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
- Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
