Small fan-footed wave
The Small fan-footed wave's caterpillar feeds through autumn and winter on withered, fallen leaves rather than fresh growth, continuing to grow through the cold months.
| Where | Woodland, heathland and gardens |
|---|---|
| Size | 22 to 25 mm wingspan |
| When | June to August |
The Small fan-footed wave is a small pale ochreous moth with darker wavy cross lines, a greyish outer border and a small dark spot on each wing, variable in the strength of its markings.
Caterpillars feed on withered leaves of low plants such as dandelion from August through the winter, and adults fly from dusk onward between June and August in broadleaved woodland, heathland and gardens.
Traits
Habitat
Woodland
Colour
Brown, Grey
Active
Night
To people
Attracted to light; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Close in size at about 19 to 22 mm wingspan, but paler cream overall with a narrow dark streak near the base of the leading edge, a mark the Small fan-footed wave lacks.
Questions
Is the Small fan-footed wave dangerous to people?
Attracted to light; harmless to people.
When can you see the Small fan-footed wave?
The Small fan-footed wave can be seen from June to August, at night.
Plate retouched from a photo by Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Geometer moths›Idaea
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.