1890 Macaria alternata (Sharp-angled Peacock)

Geometridae, Ennominae - Wingspan: 26-30mm.

Although many visiting Moth Enthusiasts visit Cornwall, there is a tendency for them to misidentify this species as M. notata which doesn't occur in Cornwall, but can be found throughout other areas of the UK. This local widespread species in Cornwall has a generally purplish tint to the background, and a prominent wide smoky bar running across the outer centre of all four wings, which differentiates this species from M.notata, which has a white ground colour and only thin lines across the wings.

The flight season in the UK is made from two generations, occurring late May / mid July, and August, although in Cornwall it can be seen from April to September, with a slight dip in numbers in July.