Green silver-lines
This moth's caterpillar spins a tough boat-shaped cocoon under a leaf or in bark, using silk chemically similar to that of the domesticated silkworm.
| Where | Deciduous woodland and wooded gardens |
|---|---|
| Size | 33 to 39 mm wingspan |
| When | May to September |
The green silver-lines is a bright green moth with three roughly parallel white diagonal lines crossing each forewing, a green head and thorax, and orange antennae. It rests with wings folded tent-like over the body, resembling a fresh green leaf.
Two generations fly most years, with caterpillars feeding on the leaves of oak, beech and other broadleaved trees from summer into autumn. Before pupating they spin a tough boat-shaped cocoon on a leaf or in bark, where they overwinter.
Traits
Habitat
Woodland
Colour
Green, White
Active
Night
To people
Attracted to light after dark; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Larger at about 42 to 47 mm wingspan, with only two white lines on the forewing instead of three and a more even apple-green colour.
Questions
Is the Green silver-lines dangerous to people?
Attracted to light after dark; harmless to people.
When can you see the Green silver-lines?
The Green silver-lines can be seen from May to September, at night.
Plate retouched from a photo by Ben Sale from UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Tuft moths›Pseudoips
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.