About Ennomos autumnaria (Werneburg, 1859)
Ennomos autumnaria, commonly known as the large thorn, is a moth species belonging to the family Geometridae. Its distribution ranges across Western and Central Europe, extending eastward into Russia and Siberia. This moth has a wingspan of 40–50 mm, and the length of its forewings measures 21–28 mm. Its body and wings show variable ground colour, ranging from brown, red-brown, or yellow-brown to yellowish beige. The edge of the forewing is scalloped, and the forewing is marked with yellow and dark brown lines. The thorax is yellow to light brown. Male individuals have pectinate antennae. The caterpillar of Ennomos autumnaria ranges from light yellowish-brown to reddish in colour, and reaches up to 50 mm in length. It has a small number of humps on its fifth segment, and two long protrusions on its ninth segment. The caterpillar resembles a dead twig. It is similar in appearance to other species in the genus Ennomos. This species occupies biotopes including forest edges, parks, and tree-containing gardens. Ennomos autumnaria produces one generation per year, with moths active from September to October. Adult moths are attracted to light. The caterpillars feed on a variety of deciduous tree genera: Quercus, Alnus, Prunus, Salix, Tilia, Malus, Populus, Acer, Betula, and Ulmus.
