clouded silver

The clouded silver (Lomographa temerata) is a geometrid moth in the family Geometridae found across temperate Europe and extending through Asia to Japan. The adult wingspan measures approximately 28–36 mm, with white forewings bearing irregular pale grey-brown cross-bands and stippling that create a subtle clouded silver-grey appearance against the white ground color. Adults fly in one generation from April to June, often resting on foliage and low vegetation with wings spread flat. The larvae feed on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorn (Crataegus), and other Rosaceae shrubs in hedgerows, scrub, and woodland margins. The clouded silver is characteristic of landscapes with structurally diverse hedgerows, scrub edges, and woodland margins across Britain, Ireland, and continental Europe, where it can be relatively common. It is frequently attracted to light traps and serves as an indicator of diverse hedgerow structure with abundant blackthorn and hawthorn. Populations appear relatively stable across well-managed agricultural landscapes with retained hedgerow networks, though loss of traditional hedge management threatens many moth species associated with these linear habitats.