Rest Harrow Aplasta ononaria
The Rest Harrow (Aplasta ononaria) is a delicate geometrid moth associated with Common Restharrow (Ononis repens) and its relatives, found on warm, dry coastal grassland, chalk downland, and sandy heathland edge. It is scarce in Britain, largely confined to the south and east, and its distribution closely mirrors that of its foodplant in open, sunny habitats on well-drained soils. Suffolk’s coastal grasslands and sandy heathland edges – where restharrow grows on dry, undisturbed ground – provide suitable habitat, and the county holds records of note. Flying in June and July, it is a day-active species that can be flushed from its foodplant in warm sunshine. Image: © Neil Sherman, Flickr.
Find out more: iNaturalist, UK Moths, Suffolk Moths
Suffolk’s Priority Moth Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
