Light Emerald

Campaea margaritata

Species ID / Light Emerald
David Green
Rob Blanken
Rob Blanken
David Green

Identification Tip

Greenish-white in colour (which fades with age), with reddish tip to front wings.

What do they eat?

Caterpillars munch on trees and shrubs including:

  • English Oak
  • Hawthorn
  • Blackthorn
  • Hazel
  • Birch
  • Elms
  • Sallows
  • Horse Chestnut
  • Sweet Chestnut
  • Beech

Where does it spend the winter?

The caterpillars of the Light Emerald spend the winter lying flat against the stems of their host plant.

Ideas to help Light Emerald in your Wild Space

Create a leaf pile

Size

small
medium
large

Life Cycle

Adult

May, June, July, August, September, October

Egg

August

Caterpillar

January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December

Chrysallis

June

UK Distribution

  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland

Want to learn

more?

There is even more about this species on the main Butterfly Conservation website

Fun Facts
about the Light Emerald

Caterpillars have a distinctive fringe of ‘hairs’ along their underside.