The ground colour is light brown or white brown to reddish brown
The forewings, which exhibit a fine regular pattern of dark, finely serrated lines have a dark eye patch in the middle. Under the sickle, or on the outer part of the outer edge of the wing, there is a purple stain. From the wing tip, a clearly curved, dark brown band runs under the stain up to the edge of the wing.
The hindwings are also light brown in colour, but brighter than the forewings. Their pattern is similar to but not so strong as that of the forewings. In the females the hindwings are white with the same dark patterning.
The forewings, which exhibit a fine regular pattern of dark, finely serrated lines have a dark eye patch in the middle. Under the sickle, or on the outer part of the outer edge of the wing, there is a purple stain. From the wing tip, a clearly curved, dark brown band runs under the stain up to the edge of the wing.
The hindwings are also light brown in colour, but brighter than the forewings. Their pattern is similar to but not so strong as that of the forewings. In the females the hindwings are white with the same dark patterning.
Habitat
- Deciduous forests
- Heathlands, moorlands
- Mixed forests
- Parks
- Peatlands
- Scrub
Similar species
30-40 mm
Regional distr. - legend
- Local names
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Language Vernacular name 
ČeskySrpokřídlec vrbový 
DanskBirkeseglvinge 
DeutschHeller Sichelfluegler DeutschHeller Sichelflügler 
Eesti keelKase-sirptiib 
EnglishPebble Hook-tip 
FrançaisFaucille 
LatviešuBērzu sirpjspārnis 
LietuviųJuodataškis lenktasparnis 
MagyarNyárfa-sarlósszövő 
NederlandsBerkeneenstaart 
NorskBjørkesigdvinge 
PolskiWycinka sierpianka 
SlovenčinaSrpokrídlovec jelšový 
SuomeksiTäpläsirppisiipi 
SvenskaOckragul sikelvinge 
РусскийСерпокрылка обыкновенная 
УкраїнськаСерпокрилка березова
- Links
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Language Website Authors Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland Robert Thompson, Brian Nelson Lepidoptera and their ecology Wolfgang Wagner Lepiforum e. V. Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa Paolo Mazzei Moths and butterflies of Sweden Magnus Unger Suffolk Moths Tony Prichard Svenska fjärilar Bert Gustafsson UK Moths Ian Kimber
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