Chesias rufata

Description

Chesias rufata, the broom-tip, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It has a wide range in central and western Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland. It is also found from Morocco to Asia Minor. The wingspan is 26–32 millimetres (1.0–1.3 in). The approximately oval-shaped wings are typical. The basal area of the forewing is silver. There is a very distinct reddish-brown cross band. Some specimens show a grey basal area and very wide reddish-brown areas on either side of the midfield. Others show a black mark on the upper part of the second cross line of the forewings following the mark is a reddish or ochreous flush, extending to the tips of the wings. A dark dividing line is located at the apex. A wavy whitish stands near the margin. The hindwings are unpatterned ochre grey in colour. Adults are on wing from April to May. Normally, there is one generation per year. However, a second generation may occur with adults on wing from June to August. Adults have been recorded feeding on nectar from the flowers of Salix and Berberis species. The larvae feed on Cytisus scoparius, Genista tinctoria and Genista germanica. Larvae can be found from June to October. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.