Chickweed geometer moth
This small yellow moth flies by day like a butterfly, an unusual habit that sets it apart from most of its nocturnal geometrid relatives.
| Where | Fields, meadows and urban areas |
|---|---|
| Size | 18 to 26 mm wingspan |
| When | May to October |
The chickweed geometer has dull yellow wings crossed by two thin pink bands, with a small pink or reddish spot near the center of each forewing. It rests with its wings held flat, and males carry feathery antennae while females have plain thread like ones.
Adults fly by day, unlike most moths, and are common over lawns, fields and roadsides. The caterpillars feed on chickweed, knotweed, clover and related low plants, and the species produces several generations across its long flight season.
Traits
Habitat
Grassland
Colour
Yellow, Red
Active
Day
To people
Often seen flying over lawns and fields in daylight; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Similar shape and habit, but tan to olive gray overall without the yellow ground color and pink bands of the Chickweed geometer moth.
Questions
Is the Chickweed geometer moth dangerous to people?
Often seen flying over lawns and fields in daylight; harmless to people.
When can you see the Chickweed geometer moth?
The Chickweed geometer moth can be seen from May to October, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by aberkov, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Geometer moths›Haematopis
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.